A staff nurse reports a medication error due to failure to administer a medication at the scheduled time. What is the charge nurse's best response?

A) "We'll conduct a root cause analysis."
B) "That means you'll have to do continuing education."
C) "Why did you let that happen?"
D) "You'll need to tell the patient and family."

In a just culture the nurse is accountable for their actions and practice, but people are not punished for flawed systems. Through a strategy such as root cause analysis the reasons for errors in medication administration can be identified and strategies developed to minimize future occurrences. Requiring continued education may be an appropriate recommendation but not until data is collected about the event. Telling the patient is part of transparency and the sharing and disclosure among stakeholders, but it is generally the role of risk management staff, not the staff nurse.