Chapter 17: Implementation

A client requires a change and reapplication of a colostomy bag. The nurse has never changed an ostomy bag before. What is the nurse's best course of action?

Ask a skilled nurse to assist with the procedure.

A client tells the nurse, "My doctor has told me I have to have a blood transfusion, but I am a Jehovah's Witness and I can't take one." What is the nurse's most appropriate intervention?

Discuss possible alternatives to a blood transfusion with the physician. As coordinator of the client's care, the nurse functions as an intermediary between the physician and the client. In order to honor the client's wishes, the nurse would most appropriately consult with the physician to meet the client's physical needs, as well as the client's spiritual needs. The risk and benefits of a blood transfusion are not the relevant issue with the client. Discussing the client's options with other church members would violate the client's privacy and would not meet the client's physical needs. It might be advisable to discuss the client's refusal of care with the hospital risk manager to protect the legal requirements of the institution, but it is not the priority.

Which is the priority question for the nurse to consider before implementing a new intervention?

Does this treatment make sense for this client?

The nurse in a burn intensive care unit (BICU) is caring for a 3-year-old child who was burned with scalding hot water. The client has burns covering 75% of the body. The client's condition is critical but stable. At 1000, the nurse reassesses the client and finds that the client is agitated and pulling at the endotracheal tube. Which is the nurse's priority intervention for this client at this time?

Ensuring that the endotracheal tube is secure

Priority setting is based on the information obtained during reassessment and is used to rank nursing diagnoses. Each factor contributes to priority setting except which?

Finances of the client

The nurse has assessed a client and determined that the client has abnormal breath sounds and low oxygen saturation level. The nurse is performing what type of nursing intervention?

Surveillance

The nurse is planning instruction on wound care to an adult client. What variables would cause the nurse to alter the education plan? Select all that apply.

The client is blind. The client denies the need for education.

What are the goals of the research that is behind the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) system? Select all that apply.

To identify, label, and validate nursing-sensitive client outcomes and indicators To evaluate the validity and usefulness of the classification in clinical field testing To define and test measurement procedures for the outcomes and indicators

The client is in a rehabilitation unit after a traumatic brain injury. In order to facilitate the client's recovery, what would be the nurse's most appropriate intervention?

Encourage the client to provide as much self-care as possible.

During morning report, the night nurse tells the oncoming nurse that the client has been medicated for pain and is resting comfortably. Thirty minutes later, the client calls and requests pain medication. What is the nurse's appropriate first action?

Go to the client and assess the client's pain.

A client recovering after an appendectomy is reporting pain. The nurse administers the ordered pain medication and assists the client to splint the incision. What is the nurse's next step in implementing the plan of care?

Reassess the client to determine the effectiveness of the interventions.

The nurse has prepared to educate a client about caring for a new colostomy. When the nurse begins the instruction, the client states, "I am not ready to deal with this now. I am feeling overwhelmed." What is the nurse's most appropriate action?

Discontinue the education and attempt at another time.The nurse should always perform client education when the client is receptive of the education. The client verbalizes not being ready to learn, so education should be discontinued and continued at another time. Asking for permission to teach a family member does not encourage the client to learn self-care and acquire independence. The client does not need medication for anxiety at this time. This is a normal reaction. It would not be productive to continue the education because the client is not ready to learn.

The nurse is preparing a client for surgery when the client tells the nurse that the client no longer wants to have the surgery. How should the nurse most appropriately respond?

Discuss with the client the reasons for declining surgery. The nurse needs further information before deciding what interventions are necessary, so the most appropriate action is to determine the client's reasons for refusal. Until the information is collected, the nurse cannot decide whether reviewing the risks and benefits of surgery would be effective. It is also premature to ask the client to discuss the decision with family members. It is not appropriate to notify the physician until the assessment is complete.

After learning about a client's limited financial resources and limited insurance benefits, the home care nurse modifies nursing interventions related to a client's care instructions. The nurse modifies the plan of care based upon which client variable?

Psychosocial background

The registered nurse (RN) is delegating the task of assisting a postoperative client to the bathroom to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). The nurse witnessed the UAP correctly perform the task on previous occasions and knows the UAP is competent to perform the task. The nurse has communicated how to get the client out and back into bed and told the UAP not to allow the client to bear weight on the left leg. The nurse validated that the activity was completed and gave the UAP feedback. Which delegation guideline did the nurse omit?

Right circumstance. The nurse fails to follow the delegation guideline related to right circumstance. The RN did not assess the client's needs or identify the outcome to be achieved by the task that was delegated. The other guidelines were followed.

The registered nurse is working with an unlicensed assistive personnel. Which client should the nurse not delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel?

The client with continuous pulse oximetry who requires pharyngeal suctioning.