A nurse accidentally administers twice the prescribed amount of medication to a patient. What should be the nurse's immediate priority action?

A. Assess the patient's vital signs and overall condition immediately: The nurse’s first priority after a medication error is patient safety. Immediate assessment allows early identification of adverse effects, toxicity, or changes in physiologic status related to the overdose. Prompt monitoring supports timely interventions and escalation of care if needed.

B. Complete documentation of medications given to other patients before addressing the error: Documentation is important but secondary to ensuring patient safety. Delaying assessment increases the risk of unrecognized harm. Patient evaluation must occur before administrative tasks.

C. Call the nurse's lawyer to discuss potential legal implications: Legal considerations are not part of the immediate clinical response. Addressing patient safety and preventing harm takes precedence over concerns about liability. Institutional reporting processes occur after the patient is stabilized.

D. Leave to take a break or lunch before attending to the situation: Leaving the situation unattended places the patient at significant risk. Medication errors require immediate action and continuous monitoring. Delaying care violates professional and ethical nursing responsibilities.