A staff nurse reports an observation of a coworker injecting themselves with a syringe in the bathroom. The coworker admits to stealing narcotics from the medication room. The staff nurse should take which of the following courses of action?

A. The staff nurse has a legal and ethical responsibility to report suspected diversion of controlled substances immediately through the appropriate chain of command. Prompt reporting protects patient safety, ensures regulatory compliance, and allows the impaired nurse to receive proper evaluation and treatment under a nurse assistance program. Failing to report can put patients at risk, violate state nursing laws, and make the reporting nurse liable for negligence. B. Agreeing not to report the incident even if the coworker seeks treatment does not fulfill the nurse’s legal duty and places patients at risk. Immediate reporting is required regardless of promises or intentions to seek help. C. Reporting to other RNs on the shift does not meet legal requirements and could compromise confidentiality or the investigation. The correct action is to follow the formal chain of command. D. Accepting a promise from the coworker to report themselves is not sufficient, as there is no guarantee it will happen. Delaying reporting puts patients and the nurse themselves at risk.