A client is diagnosed with Clostridium difficile. Which action should the practical nurse (PN) implement to prevent the spread of the organism?

The correct answer is choiceD. Contact information for a women’s shelter.

Choice A rationale:

While providing a safety plan is important, it may not be the most immediate or practical resource for a client in an abusive situation. A safety plan is a detailed strategy for leaving an abusive relationship safely, but it requires time and preparation, which may not be feasible in an urgent situation.

Choice B rationale:

Paperwork for a restraining order is a legal step that can help protect the client, but it may not provide immediate safety. The process of obtaining a restraining order can take time, and the client may need immediate shelter and support.

Choice C rationale:

Documenting the report of abuse in the visit summary is important for medical and legal records, but it does not directly provide the client with immediate resources or safety. This documentation can be useful for future legal actions but does not address the client’s immediate need for safety and support.

Choice D rationale:

Providing contact information for a women’s shelter is the most appropriate response because it offers immediate safety and support. Women’s shelters provide a safe haven, counseling, legal support, and other resources necessary for individuals experiencing domestic violence.This option prioritizes the client’s immediate safety and well-being.

The correct answer is choiceB. Verify completion of all new prescriptions. This task is crucial to ensure patient safety and proper medication administration.

Choice A rationale:

Clean up and organize the nurses’ workstation: While maintaining an organized workstation is important for efficiency and reducing stress, it is not the highest priority task. Patient safety and care tasks take precedence over organizational tasks.

Choice B rationale:

Verify completion of all new prescriptions: This is the highest priority because verifying new prescriptions ensures that patients receive the correct medications as prescribed by their healthcare providers.This step is critical to prevent medication errors, which can have serious or even fatal consequences. Ensuring the accuracy of medication orders directly impacts patient safety and care quality.

Choice C rationale:

Calculate and record intake and output totals: Monitoring and recording intake and output is important for assessing a patient’s fluid balance and overall health status. However, this task can be delegated to another team member and does not take precedence over verifying medication orders, which is more time-sensitive and directly related to patient safety.

Choice D rationale:

Write a narrative shift summary for each client: Documenting a shift summary is essential for continuity of care and communication between healthcare providers. However, this task can be completed after ensuring that all critical patient care tasks, such as verifying new prescriptions, are addressed first.