In the event of a death occurring within 24 hours of a patient being admitted to the emergency room, what is one of the necessary actions a nurse must take?

A. Schedule a follow-up appointment: The patient is deceased - this action is irrelevant. B. Ask the family about organ donation: Organ donation may be discussed by designated personnel, but only after coroner notification if required. The nurse’s legal obligation is to report such deaths first. C. Call the patient’s primary care physician: This may be done later, but is not the legal priority in an unexpected or early ER death. D. Call the coroner: Unexplained or early deaths (especially within 24 hours of admission) must be reported to the coroner/medical examiner for investigation as required by law.