If a nurse plans to finish charting for an office visit later, what should they do first?

The most appropriate action to take first when a nurse plans to finish charting for an office visit later is to save the current session. Saving the session ensures that all entered data, notes, and any other changes are not lost and will be accessible when the nurse returns to complete the charting. This is crucial in maintaining the accuracy and completeness of the patient record.

Exiting the workspace or logging out without saving could result in lost information, which would hinder the continuity of care and require the nurse to re-enter previously documented information. Notifying the provider may also be relevant, but it is not the first step to take when managing documentation in the electronic health record.