A client's adult child left the facility to go home and get the client's prescribed medications.

The client is visibly more relaxed and now speaking more openly to staff with improved eye contact.

The client reports they have lived with their adult child for the past several months due to their inability to care for themselves without assistance.

The client states their adult child "gets frustrated with me, but I understand why.

I move so slow and need help with everything.”. The client states they give their retirement income to their adult child to pay for their prescribed medication and household expenses, but they have no access to the bank account.

The client states their adult child makes "a few meals a week" and that there is little food in the house.

What should be the nurse's priority action based on this information?

Choice A rationale

Administering a suppository is considered a medication administration task, which requires a licensed nurse to perform. This task involves critical thinking and a solid understanding of anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology, as well as the potential for adverse reactions. Therefore, this cannot be delegated to an assistive personnel (AP), whose scope of practice does not include medication administration.

Choice B rationale

Providing home care instructions is part of client education, which is a key responsibility of a licensed nurse. This task requires a thorough understanding of the client's condition, treatment plan, and the ability to assess their learning needs. An AP is not trained to assess, plan, or implement teaching plans for clients, so this task is outside their scope of practice.

Choice C rationale

Suctioning a newly inserted tracheostomy is a skilled and invasive procedure that carries a high risk of complications, such as hypoxemia, trauma, or infection. This procedure requires a nurse's professional judgment and a clear understanding of sterile technique. The AP's role is to provide basic care, not to perform such complex and high-risk procedures.

Choice D rationale

Performing rescue breathing, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), is an emergency procedure that falls within the scope of an AP's training. All healthcare workers, including APs, are required to have a basic life support certification. In a medical emergency, every staff member is expected to perform basic life-saving measures, such as rescue breathing, to prevent further client harm. *.

Choice A rationale

A guardian's statement that a child fell off a swing is a common and plausible explanation for a fractured arm. This type of injury is consistent with the normal activities of a preschooler, and it does not inherently suggest abuse. The nurse should continue with a thorough physical assessment and gather additional history, but this statement alone is not a red flag.

Choice B rationale

Crying loudly when a fractured arm is moved is a normal, expected reaction to pain. The child is experiencing acute pain from the injury, and any movement of the affected limb would cause a significant increase in discomfort. This is not a warning sign of maltreatment but rather a natural physiological response to a painful stimulus.

Choice C rationale

A guardian wanting to accompany a child to the radiology department is a typical and often protective behavior. Many parents wish to provide emotional support to their child during stressful medical procedures. This action demonstrates parental involvement and concern for the child's well-being and is not indicative of abuse or neglect.

Choice D rationale

A delay in seeking medical care for a significant injury, such as a fractured arm, is a major red flag for child maltreatment. This delay suggests that the guardian may be attempting to hide the cause of the injury or is neglectful of the child's health needs. Timely medical attention for a painful injury is the standard of care. .