A nurse assigned to a child does not know how to perform a treatment that has been prescribed for the child. What should the nurse’s first action be?

a.
Delay the treatment until another nurse can do it.
b.
Make the child’s parents aware of the situation.
c.
Inform the nursing supervisor of the problem.
d.
Arrange to have the child transferred to another unit.

ANS: C

If a nurse is not competent to perform a particular nursing task, the nurse must immediately communicate this fact to the nursing supervisor or physician. The nurse could endanger the child by delaying the intervention until another nurse is available. Telling the child’s parents would most likely increase their anxiety and will not resolve the difficulty. Transfer to another unit delays needed treatment and would create unnecessary disruption for the child and family.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 11

OBJ: Nursing Process Step: Implementation

MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment