A nurse manager observes a licensed practical nurse who has a strong odor of alcohol on their breath. Which of the following actions should the nurse manager take?

a. A visitor experiences a minor burn after spilling coffee:

This situation does not present an ethical dilemma. It is a minor accident that can be addressed through appropriate first aid and safety measures.

b. A parent wants her 14-year-old adolescent to receive radiation treatment against his will:

This situation involves a conflict between parental authority and the autonomy of the adolescent. It raises questions about the adolescent's capacity to make medical decisions, the role of parental consent, and the rights of the adolescent to refuse treatment. Therefore, it represents an ethical dilemma.

c. A nurse witnesses another nurse administer an incorrect medication:

While this situation involves patient safety and professional responsibility, it does not inherently pose an ethical dilemma. It is a matter of patient safety and adherence to professional standards rather than conflicting moral principles.

d. A client receives an operation on the wrong side of her body:

This situation represents a serious medical error and a violation of patient safety protocols. While it may have ethical implications related to accountability, negligence, and patient harm, it primarily involves issues of medical error rather than a true ethical dilemma.

a. Document an objective description of the situation:

It is important to start by documenting the observed behavior objectively. This documentation can serve as a factual record of the incident.

b. Schedule a formal meeting with the LPN within 48 hours:

While addressing the issue promptly is important, scheduling a formal meeting should come after documenting the situation. The initial step is to gather information and document observations.

c. Interview clients about the nurse’s actions:

Interviewing clients may be necessary later in the investigation process, but the immediate action should be to document the observed behavior and then proceed with a more formal investigation if needed.

d. Check the unit narcotic records for discrepancies:

The issue at hand appears to be related to alcohol use rather than narcotics. While discrepancies in narcotic records might be a concern, it may not be the most relevant action based on the situation described.