A staff nurse suspects that a newly licensed nurse is chemically impaired. Which of the following actions should the staff nurse take?

Choice A rationale The primary responsibility of a nurse who suspects a colleague is chemically impaired is to ensure patient safety by reporting the concern to a supervisor or charge nurse. The charge nurse has the formal authority to remove the nurse from patient care and initiate the facility's formal intervention and investigation protocols. Reporting follows the chain of command and ensures that the situation is handled legally and professionally according to institutional policy and state board of nursing regulations. Choice B rationale While examining narcotic records might provide evidence of drug diversion, it is not the immediate priority or the role of a staff nurse to conduct a private investigation. The focus should be on the immediate safety of the patients currently under the care of the suspected nurse. Investigating records is a formal process that should be conducted by management or pharmacy consultants as part of an official audit once the suspicion has been reported to the appropriate authorities. Choice C rationale Confronting a colleague who is suspected of being chemically impaired is not recommended and can be counterproductive or dangerous. An impaired individual may be defensive, volatile, or untruthful, and a direct confrontation by a peer does not resolve the immediate risk to patient safety. It is much more effective and professional to involve nursing leadership, who are trained to handle these sensitive situations and provide the necessary resources for both the nurse and the unit's safety. Choice D rationale Arranging transportation home for a nurse suspected of impairment is an inappropriate action because it does not address the underlying issue or the safety of the patients on the unit. Furthermore, allowing the nurse to leave without a formal assessment or intervention might allow the impairment to go undocumented, putting the nurse and the public at further risk. The nurse should be kept at the facility until a supervisor can conduct an evaluation and determine the next steps.