If the nurse discovers a drug interaction after assessing Charlie, what is the immediate action to take?

The immediate action to take when a nurse discovers a drug interaction is to notify the prescribing healthcare provider of the medication combination. This is crucial because the healthcare provider can then assess the severity of the interaction and determine the best course of action for the patient’s safety. Drug interactions can lead to adverse effects, reduced efficacy, or increased toxicity, making it essential for the prescribing provider to be informed.

Involving the healthcare provider ensures that any adjustments needed to medication regimens are made based on clinical judgment and the specific circumstances of the patient’s health. This collaborative approach helps to maintain patient safety and optimize therapeutic outcomes. The involvement of the prescribing healthcare provider also enables a comprehensive evaluation of the patient's complete medication profile, taking into account other factors such as current health status and co-morbidities.

The other choices, while possibly relevant in certain contexts, do not directly address the immediate necessity of informing the prescribing provider about the drug interaction. They may involve changes to medication that need to be made based on professional assessment and should not be decided unilaterally by the nurse without first consulting the healthcare provider.