Texas Board of Nursing (BON) Practice Exam

Chart audits find the following practice errors committed by a nurse with observed impaired behavior at work: NO physician orders for narcotics signed out by the nurse, and NO documentation that the nurse either administered or wasted the narcotics. The best decision for the Incident Based Peer Review Committee to make is that

1. the nurse's actions were acceptable due to impaired behavior

2. the nurse should receive a commendation for diligence

3. the nurse must be reported to the BON because of the combination of practice errors with possible practice impairment due to substance use or abuse

4. the committee should ignore the errors to avoid conflict

The correct answer is: the nurse must be reported to the BON because of the combination of practice errors with possible practice impairment due to substance use or abuse

The correct decision for the Incident Based Peer Review Committee to make in this scenario is to report the nurse to the BON because of the combination of practice errors with possible practice impairment due to substance use or abuse. This action is crucial because the nurse's behavior indicates potential substance issues, as there are no physician orders for the narcotics signed out, and there is no documentation of administering or wasting the narcotics. Reporting the nurse to the BON will initiate a proper investigation and ensure the safety of patients under the nurse's care. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not address the seriousness of the situation at hand. Ignoring the errors or commending the nurse for diligence would not be appropriate responses when there are clear indications of potential impairment and serious practice errors. Reporting to the BON is the necessary course of action to protect the public and provide the nurse with the help and support they may need.