What is the best follow-up action if a nurse makes a medication error but realizes no harm was done?

When a medication error occurs, the best practice involves ensuring transparency and accountability, which is why reporting the error to a supervising nurse is the most appropriate follow-up action. This step helps to facilitate a thorough review of the situation, allowing for an evaluation of the error and implementation of measures to prevent future occurrences.

Notifying a supervising nurse promotes immediate awareness within the healthcare team, which can enhance safety protocols and support staff education. This collaborative approach can also help in understanding potential systemic issues that may have contributed to the error. By addressing the incident with a supervisory figure, the nurse is taking responsible action that reflects a commitment to patient safety and quality care.

Other options, while they may have merit in different contexts, do not provide the same comprehensive response. For example, notifying the primary care provider may be necessary if the error had caused harm or required immediate medical intervention, but in cases where no harm occurred, this may not be warranted. Discussing the error with the patient is important for maintaining trust; however, without reporting it to a supervisor first, the nurse may miss opportunities for learning and improvement. Documenting the error in the nurse's own log could be beneficial for personal reference, but it lacks the systematic approach needed for collective learning and prevention strategies