The nurse notes that another nurse on a surgical unit has been acting differently lately. The nurse often has red watery eyes and a runny nose. Today, the nurse was unhappy with the patient assignment and screamed, "Someone is going to pay for this!" What should the nurse who has observed this behavior do?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

It is important to report any concerning behavior to the clinical manager. Red watery eyes and a runny nose can be a sign of drug abuse, but it is not appropriate to jump to that conclusion without concrete evidence. However, the outburst and threat of violence is a serious concern and should be reported immediately. The clinical manager can then investigate the situation and provide appropriate support and resources to the nurse if necessary. It is not the nurse's responsibility to confront the colleague or provide counseling.

The Nurse Notes That Another Nurse on a Surgical Unit