After working an extended shift, what is the appropriate action if you feel extremely tired at the start of your next shift?

The appropriate action of calling your manager and asking for the unit protocol acknowledges the importance of professionalism and patient safety in the healthcare environment. When feeling extremely tired, it is crucial to assess your ability to provide safe and effective care. By consulting with your manager, you can better determine the best course of action that considers both your wellbeing and the needs of your patients.

This approach allows for a collaborative discussion about potential options, such as adjusting your workload, allowing you to rest, or possibly even assigning you to a less demanding role for that shift. It emphasizes the need to communicate openly in the workplace about conditions that can impair your performance, rather than just pushing through the shift despite feeling unwell.

Considering this perspective, other actions such as working through the shift without addressing your fatigue can lead to decreased vigilance and compromise patient safety. Requesting to leave early may be appropriate in certain conditions, but it is better assessed within the context of unit protocols. Skipping necessary patient checks is not acceptable under any circumstances and directly endangers patient care. Therefore, consulting your manager stands out as the most responsible and professional response.