Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Practice Test

Which action best describes a sentinel event alert?

1. Documenting the breakdown in communication during a shift report

2. Indicating that a community or institution is unsafe

3. Recording the harm done when a medication error occurs

4. Signaling the need for immediate investigation and response

The correct answer is: Signaling the need for immediate investigation and response

A sentinel event alert is a notification that indicates a need for immediate investigation and response. This type of alert is triggered when a serious, unexpected event or outcome occurs in healthcare that requires a thorough analysis to identify the root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Sentinel event alerts are crucial for promoting patient safety and quality care in healthcare settings by signaling the need for a detailed investigation and prompt response to prevent future occurrences. Options A, B, and C do not fully capture the essence of a sentinel event alert as they do not specifically emphasize the need for immediate investigation and response to the event.