A charge nurse on a pediatric oncology unit notices a nursing assistant on the unit is slurring her words and smells of alcohol. After confronting the nursing assistant, she promises to never do it again and asks the nurse to keep it between them. What should the nurse do?

Explanation

•The nurse should report the nursing assistant to the supervisor immediately. An intoxicated employee can be a danger to both the patients and the staff.

•The nursing assistant is not in critical condition and does not need to be treated for alcohol overdose.

•Although sending the nursing assistant home is appropriate, lying about the situation is inappropriate and dangerous.

•Intoxicated staff members should not remain at work even doing non-patient care. Campus security should be called to arrange for a ride home.

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