A client with bladder cancer had surgical placement of a ureter ileostomy (ileal conduit) yesterday. Which postoperative assessment finding should the nurse report to the healthcare provider immediately?

Choice A reason: Teaching for client care after discharge often involves patient education and planning, which are complex tasks typically reserved for registered nurses due to their scope of practice.

Choice B reason: Evaluating and updating plans of care are responsibilities that involve clinical judgment and are usually performed by registered nurses.

Choice C reason: Initial sterile wound care may require assessment and decision-making that are within the registered nurse's scope of practice.

Choice D reason: Validating prescribed intravenous flow rates is a task that can be delegated to a practical nurse, as it involves monitoring and ensuring that the flow rates are set according to the prescribed orders, which is within the practical nurse's scope of practice.

Choice A reason: Waiting until after the procedure to assess for discomfort does not ensure client safety during the procedure itself. While pain assessment is important, it is not the priority safety intervention in this situation, especially since the client is already mildly confused and could disrupt the sterile field or injure themselves if not properly guided.

Choice B reason: Because the client is mildly confused, there is a risk of them inadvertently reaching into or touching the sterile field during the procedure. The nurse’s priority safety action is to provide clear, simple instructions such as reminding the client to keep their hands away or under the sterile field. This prevents contamination and reduces the risk of infection, protecting both the client and the procedure.

Choice C reason: Pouring cleansing solution onto the sterile cloth field would contaminate the sterile setup, since fluids should only be poured into sterile containers or basins. This action could compromise the sterile field and increase infection risk, making it unsafe practice.

Choice D reason: Informed consent for a procedure like wound debridement must be obtained by the healthcare provider before the procedure begins, not during. While the nurse can verify consent earlier, at the point described in the scenario (when the sterile field is already set up), the immediate priority is to maintain sterility and safety, not obtain consent.