A charge nurse is mentoring a newly licensed nurse about ergonomic principles. Which of the following should the charge nurse include when teaching about ergonomic principles?

Choice A reason: Placing the client in semi-Fowler’s position for postoperative assessment is appropriate, promoting lung expansion and reducing aspiration risk. This aligns with standard care, supporting respiratory function and comfort, requiring no further instruction as it reflects safe, evidence-based practice.
Choice B reason: Auscultating lungs without lifting the gown may reduce clarity but is not unsafe. It preserves modesty and is acceptable if effective. While lifting the gown is preferred, this action poses minimal risk, requiring less instruction compared to errors with immediate safety implications.
Choice C reason: Administering an enema without checking for contraindications, like bowel obstruction, risks complications such as perforation. This reflects poor assessment, necessitating instruction to ensure the nurse verifies patient safety and chart details before invasive procedures to prevent harm.
Choice D reason: Checking vital signs before cardiac medication is correct, ensuring safety (e.g., withholding beta-blockers for low heart rate). This follows pharmacological protocols, requiring no instruction, as it demonstrates competence in safe medication administration practices on a medical-surgical unit.

Choice A reason: Discussing the prescription with the provider is critical, as amoxicillin, a penicillin derivative, is contraindicated in clients with penicillin allergies due to risk of anaphylaxis. This ensures patient safety by verifying or correcting the order, aligning with nursing advocacy and safety protocols, making it correct.
Choice B reason: Administering amoxicillin to a client with a penicillin allergy risks severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, violating patient safety principles. Nurses must verify contraindicated orders before administration, making this action dangerous and incorrect in this scenario.
Choice C reason: Placing an incident report is premature, as no error has occurred yet. The nurse’s role is to prevent harm by addressing the contraindicated prescription proactively. This action does not resolve the issue and is inappropriate as the first step, making it incorrect.
Choice D reason: Calling the pharmacist for clarification is less direct than discussing with the provider, who issued the order. While pharmacists can provide guidance, the provider must confirm or change the prescription to ensure safety, making this action secondary and less effective.