A client who has back pain presents to an emergency department and is provided a prescription for oxycodone. A staff nurse tells the charge nurse that they think the client is seeking drugs and is not actually in distress. Which of the following responses should the charge nurse make?

The answer isb. "Check the urinary output at 11:00 for John Doe and report it to me immediately.”

This instruction follows the five rights of delegation by including the requirements for right direction/communication: the data to collect, client-specific information, a timeline for data collection, and the expectation for communicating the findings back to the nurse.

a. "Take vital signs every 2 hours for the client who had a cholecystectomy in room 6122.” is wrong because it does not specify which client to monitor.The AP should know the client’s name and room number for identification and safety purposes.

c. "Report to me if the chest tube drainage is excessive for Jane Doe in room 2438.” is wrong because it does not define what constitutes excessive drainage.The nurse should provide clear and measurable criteria for the AP to follow.

d. "Please notify me of any clients whose vital signs or blood glucose levels are significant.” is wrong because it is vague and does not indicate which clients to check, how often to check them, or what values are significant.The nurse should provide specific and individualized instructions for each client

Choice A rationale:

Informing the client of the consequences of decreased cerebral circulation is premature without understanding the client's specific reasons for refusing the surgery. Jumping to consequences might not address the underlying fears or concerns the client has, potentially leading to increased resistance or anxiety.

Choice B rationale:

Initiating a mental health consultation is a valuable step if the client's refusal appears to be influenced by psychological or emotional factors. However, before involving mental health professionals, it's important for the nurse to engage in a direct conversation with the client to explore their thoughts, fears, and reservations.

Choice C rationale:

Discussing the client's concerns about having the surgery is the most appropriate action in this scenario. Engaging in an open and nonjudgmental conversation allows the nurse to understand the client's perspective, provide information, clarify misconceptions, and address any fears or uncertainties. This approach respects the client's autonomy and promotes shared decision-making.

Choice D rationale:

Providing the client with information on additional treatment options might be premature if the client's main concern is related to the current recommended surgery. It's crucial to first address the client's specific reservations before exploring other treatment possibilities.