A nurse is part of an interprofessional team conducting a root cause analysis (RCA) after a sentinel event involving a medication error that caused serious patient harm. Which nursing action best supports the RCA process to prevent future similar events?

Rationale:

A. Assign a yellow tag to clients unable to walk but with stable vitals and no respiratory distress, indicating delayed care is correct. Yellow tags indicate “delayed” or non-urgent care, appropriate for patients who need attention but can safely wait while more critical patients are treated first.

B. Allocate immediate resources to clients with severe injuries and very low likelihood of survival to attempt life-saving measures is incorrect. SALT triage prioritizes resources to maximize survivable outcomes, meaning patients unlikely to survive even with intervention are assigned a black tag (expectant) rather than receiving immediate resources.

C. Tag as green clients who are alert, oriented, ambulatory, and have minor injuries such as abrasions or sprains is correct. Green tags indicate “minor” or “walking wounded” patients who require minimal intervention, allowing resources to focus on higher-acuity patients.

D. Assign a red tag to a client who is breathing rapidly, has a weak pulse, and responds only to painful stimuli is correct. Red tags indicate “immediate” priority for life-threatening injuries where intervention can save the patient.

E. Perform detailed diagnostic assessments and treatments at the triage site for all clients before tagging is incorrect. SALT triage emphasizes rapid assessment to categorize patients, not detailed diagnostics, which would delay care for critically injured patients.

F. Assign a red tag to an ambulatory client complaining of mild pain but with stable vital signs and no respiratory distress is incorrect. Red tags are for life-threatening injuries, not minor complaints with stable vitals. This client should receive a green tag.

G. Provide comfort measures only to a client who is unresponsive and has no respirations after repositioning, assigning a black tag is correct. Black tags indicate expectant or deceased patients, and care focuses on comfort rather than attempting futile interventions.

H. Treat all clients in the order they arrive regardless of injury severity or survival potential is incorrect. SALT triage prioritizes acuity and survivability, not arrival time. Treating patients in order of arrival could delay care for critically injured patients.

Rationale:

A. Increased staff retention is correct because interprofessional collaboration promotes a supportive and respectful work environment. When nurses and other healthcare professionals work together effectively, they feel valued, supported, and recognized for their contributions. This improves job satisfaction and reduces turnover, which is particularly important in high-stress settings like hospitals where burnout and staff shortages are common. Collaborative teams provide opportunities for mentoring, shared decision-making, and professional growth, all of which enhance retention.

B. Reduced professional autonomy is incorrect because effective collaboration does not diminish individual professional autonomy. Instead, it involves mutual respect and recognition of each team member’s expertise while integrating diverse perspectives into decision-making. Autonomy is preserved within each professional’s scope of practice, even as care is coordinated across disciplines.

C. Higher levels of burnout is incorrect because collaboration, when implemented properly, can reduce stress and prevent burnout. By distributing responsibilities, improving communication, and fostering a culture of support, collaboration mitigates the emotional and physical strain that can arise from working in isolation or under high-pressure conditions. Conversely, poor collaboration could contribute to burnout, but that is not a positive outcome.

D. Streamlined care processes is correct because collaborative practice improves coordination and efficiency. When nurses, physicians, pharmacists, therapists, and other team members communicate clearly and share responsibilities, it reduces duplication of tasks, prevents delays, and ensures interventions occur in the correct sequence. Streamlined processes enhance workflow, shorten hospital stays, and optimize resource use.

E. Enhanced problem-solving capabilities is correct because interprofessional collaboration brings together diverse knowledge, skills, and perspectives. Complex patient problems benefit from a team approach, as multiple viewpoints allow for more thorough assessments, creative solutions, and comprehensive care plans that a single professional might overlook. This collective intelligence improves clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.

F. Improved patient safety is correct because collaboration enhances communication, coordination, and adherence to best practices, which reduces medical errors, prevents adverse events, and ensures continuity of care. Teams that collaborate effectively are more likely to identify risks early, implement preventive measures, and monitor outcomes, leading to safer patient care environments.