During change-of-shift report, a nurse discovers they overlooked a prescription for a type and cross-match of a client who is to have surgery the next day. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Inform the provider of the delay in obtaining the type and cross-match.
Document the incident in the client’s medical record.
Prepare an incident report for risk management.
Obtain the client’s type and cross-match.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A Reason:
Informing the provider of the delay in obtaining the type and cross-match is important for keeping the healthcare team informed. However, this action should follow the immediate step of obtaining the type and cross-match to ensure the client has compatible blood available for surgery. Communication with the provider is crucial but secondary to addressing the immediate need.
Choice B Reason:
Documenting the incident in the client’s medical record is necessary for maintaining accurate records and ensuring continuity of care. However, this action should be performed after the immediate need for obtaining the type and cross-match is addressed. Accurate documentation is essential but not the first priority in this situation.
Choice C Reason:
Preparing an incident report for risk management is important for identifying and addressing potential system issues that led to the oversight. However, this action is not the immediate priority. The primary focus should be on obtaining the type and cross-match to ensure the client’s safety during surgery. Incident reporting can be done after the immediate needs are met.
Choice D Reason:
Obtaining the client’s type and cross-match is the first action the nurse should take because it ensures that the client will have compatible blood available for transfusion if needed during surgery. This step directly addresses the immediate clinical need and prioritizes the client’s safety and readiness for surgery.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason
Documenting the indications for using wrist restraints is an important step in the process, but it is not the first action the nurse should take. Documentation ensures that there is a clear rationale for the use of restraints and helps in maintaining legal and ethical standards1. However, before documenting, the nurse must explore and attempt less restrictive alternatives to ensure that restraints are truly necessary.
Choice B Reason
Obtaining a prescription for restraints from the provider is a crucial step, as restraints should only be used with a valid order from a healthcare provider. This ensures that the use of restraints is medically justified and that the provider is aware of the client’s condition. However, before seeking a prescription, the nurse must first attempt less restrictive alternatives to manage the client’s behavior.
Choice C Reason
Explaining the procedure to the client and their family is essential for informed consent and to ensure that they understand the reasons for using restraints. This step helps in maintaining transparency and trust. However, it should be done after the nurse has determined that less restrictive alternatives are not effective and that restraints are necessary.
Choice D Reason
Attempting less restrictive alternatives is the first action the nurse must take. This approach aligns with ethical and legal guidelines that emphasize the use of the least restrictive measures to ensure the client’s safety. Alternatives may include verbal de-escalation, environmental modifications, or the use of less restrictive devices. Only if these measures fail should the nurse consider using restraints.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A: Have a padded tongue blade available at the client’s bedside.
Having a padded tongue blade available is not recommended for seizure management. Inserting any object into a patient’s mouth during a seizure can cause injury to the teeth, gums, or jaw1. Current guidelines advise against placing anything in the mouth of a person having a seizure. Instead, focus on ensuring the patient’s safety by turning them on their side to maintain an open airway and prevent aspiration.
Choice B: Keep the four side rails down when the client is in bed.
Keeping the side rails down is not advisable for a client with a seizure disorder. To prevent injury during a seizure, it is important to keep the side rails up and padded. This helps prevent the client from falling out of bed and sustaining injuries. Additionally, the bed should be kept in its lowest position to minimize the risk of injury from falls.
Choice C: Keep suction equipment available in the client’s room.
Keeping suction equipment available is crucial for managing a client with a seizure disorder. During a seizure, there is a risk of aspiration due to excessive salivation or vomiting. Having suction equipment readily available allows the nurse to quickly clear the client’s airway, reducing the risk of aspiration and ensuring the client can breathe properly.
Choice D: Have wire cutters available at the client’s bedside.
Wire cutters are not typically necessary for managing a seizure disorder. They are sometimes mentioned in the context of clients with Vagus Nerve Stimulators (VNS), where the wire cutters might be used in an emergency to cut the VNS wire. However, this is a rare situation and not a standard precaution for all clients with seizure disorders4.