If a patient's condition changes and you are unable to contact the on-call physician, what should you do?

In a situation where a patient's condition deteriorates and the on-call physician is unavailable, the most appropriate action is to contact the Administrative Supervisor on duty. This individual is typically responsible for managing critical situations when medical staff are not immediately available. The Administrative Supervisor can provide guidance on how to proceed, including potentially seeking alternative medical support or escalating the situation to other healthcare providers who can assist.

In urgent healthcare scenarios, it is crucial to ensure that the patient receives timely care and that their needs are addressed promptly. Relying on the Administrative Supervisor enables adherence to hospital protocols for managing emergencies, which helps ensure patient safety.

Contacting the nurse manager or the patient's next of kin may not be as efficient in critical situations where immediate medical intervention is necessary. Waiting for the physician to return risks the patient's health and could lead to adverse outcomes. Therefore, contacting the Administrative Supervisor is the most responsible and effective course of action in this context.