A nurse discovers that the wrong dosage of a medication was given to a client. When
determining what action to take, the nurse should recognize that which of the following ethical principles should be applied?

A. Inform the client of available community resources is an important action because the client will likely need additional support, such as hospice care, counseling, or child care services. However, before providing resources, the nurse must assess the client’s understanding of their diagnosis to ensure any interventions are tailored to their current needs and readiness.

B. Assist the client in finding child care options - While important, addressing community resources takes precedence as it may encompass finding child care options as well.

C. Agree upon short-term goals for the client - Establishing goals is important but may come after addressing immediate needs.

D. Ask the client about their understanding of the diagnosis is the priority action. Before any other interventions, the nurse must assess the client’s knowledge and perception of their condition. This foundational step allows the nurse to provide appropriate education, clarify any misconceptions, and ensure that all care planning aligns with the client’s needs, values, and readiness to engage in discussions about their care.

A. Delegating tasks to appropriate personnel is an important skill, but effective time management also involves personal task completion.

B. Completing activities for one client before moving to the next helps ensure tasks are not left incomplete and promotes organized workflow.

C. Focusing on objectives rather than just activities is a more comprehensive approach to time management, ensuring tasks align with goals.

D. Skipping break times can lead to burnout and decreased efficiency over time, rather than improving time management skills.