When is it appropriate for a nurse to contact a healthcare provider regarding a change in a patient's condition?

Contacting a healthcare provider when changes are noted that require further assessment is essential for patient safety and optimal care. Nurses play a critical role in monitoring patients and are often the first to notice changes in condition due to their continuous presence at the bedside. When a nurse identifies changes, whether they are physiological, psychological, or related to the patient's overall well-being, it indicates the need for a deeper evaluation or intervention that may affect the patient's treatment plan.

Promptly notifying the healthcare provider about significant changes ensures that the patient receives timely interventions, potentially preventing complications and improving outcomes. This may include changes in vital signs, behavior, or the emergence of new symptoms that are concerning or may indicate the progression of a condition.

Other options do not adequately reflect the responsibility nurses have in advocating for their patients. Minor changes that do not affect care do not warrant a call, as they are typically handled through routine monitoring. Scheduling check-ins may not capture urgent situations that arise unpredictably, and waiting for a patient to report a new symptom can delay critical care interventions when proactive communication is necessary.