What should a nurse do first after discovering a medication error?

The appropriate first action for a nurse after discovering a medication error is to notify the charge nurse immediately. This step is crucial because it ensures proper oversight and management of the situation. The charge nurse can provide guidance on how the situation should be handled and can assist in coordinating the next steps, including ensuring that the client receives appropriate care.

While completing an incident report, informing the physician, or reassessing the client for adverse effects are important actions that should also be taken, they come after notifying the charge nurse. This prioritization is essential in clinical settings to maintain patient safety and facilitate an effective response to the error. Alerting the charge nurse first can help streamline the process of identifying potential adverse effects, documenting the incident, and ensuring the physician is informed in a timely manner.