Another RN has called in sick, leaving 10 pediatric cancer patients to be cared for by one RN and 3 nursing assistants. What should the nurse do?

Explanation

•Using the safety first framework, the nurse recognizes that the care of this many sick patients is beyond the scope of one RN and 3 nursing assistants.

•Another RN is needed, so the nurse calls the nursing supervisor.

•Incorrect: Adjusting to the workload by planning and delegating is still unsafe because the nurse cannot predict the scope of care that may be required.

•Incorrect: Asking for additional nursing assistants would not help the RN perform assessments and medication administration; therefore, patient safety will still be compromised.

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