A charge nurse delegates to an assistive personnel (AP) the task of ambulating a client. At the end of the shift, the nurse discovers the client has not been ambulated. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Rationale:

A. Provide information about stress management.: Stress is a major trigger for vasospastic episodes in Raynaud’s disease because it increases sympathetic nervous system activity, causing further arterial constriction. Stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing, biofeedback, or relaxation exercises helps reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.

B. Administer epinephrine for acute episodes.: Epinephrine causes vasoconstriction, which would worsen Raynaud’s symptoms by further reducing blood flow to the extremities. During an acute episode, warming the affected areas and avoiding additional vasoconstrictors is essential. Epinephrine is not indicated as a treatment and can intensify ischemic discomfort

C. Maintain a cool temperature in the client's room.: Cold temperatures are one of the most common triggers for vasospasm in Raynaud’s disease. A cool environment increase the likelihood of an episode by promoting peripheral vasoconstriction. The nurse should provide a warm environment and encourage protective clothing to maintain circulation.

D. Give a glucocorticoid steroid twice per day.: Steroids are not a standard treatment for Raynaud’s because the condition is related to vasospasm rather than inflammatory processes. Routine steroid use would expose the client to unnecessary adverse effects without addressing the underlying problem. Management strategies focus instead on warmth, lifestyle modification, and vasodilator medications when needed.

Rationale:

A. "Can you tune out the voices by listening to music?": This question focuses on coping strategies, which is important, but it is not the immediate priority. The nurse must first assess the content of the hallucinations to determine potential risk.

B. "Are you also seeing unusual persons or things?": Assessing for visual hallucinations is useful, but the client is currently experiencing auditory command hallucinations. Immediate focus should be on the commands to ensure safety.

C. "What are the voices telling you to do?": Determining the content of the voices is the priority because command hallucinations may instruct the client to harm themselves or others. Assessing risk and ensuring safety comes before exploring coping or additional symptoms.

D. "Do the voices cause you to feel anxious?": Assessing emotional response is relevant, but it is secondary to understanding whether the hallucinations pose a safety risk to the client or others.