A physician discovers that a critical laboratory result, which indicated a life-threatening electrolyte imbalance, was inadvertently overlooked during a busy night shift, leading to delayed treatment and subsequent patient harm. The patient is now stable but required a longer hospital stay. What is the most ethically appropriate initial action for the physician?
✓ Correct Answer: Option B
Transparency and open communication with the patient and family, including an apology for harm caused by an error, are ethical imperatives and best practices in patient safety. While documentation and reporting are also necessary, direct disclosure to the patient is the immediate ethical priority once the patient is stable.