A home health nurse is caring for a client who has a chronic illness and recently moved in with their adult child. Which of the following statements by the client should indicate to the nurse that the client has adapted to their new situational role?

A. Avoid pinching the skin when injecting the needle:

This instruction is not specific to the use of a prefilled, multidose pen for insulin administration. Pinching the skin may be necessary for some injection techniques but is not directly related to the use of a prefilled pen.

B. Use pen needles that have a safe-needle protection device attached.

Using pen needles with a safe-needle protection device attached ensures safe handling and disposal of the needle after use, reducing the risk of accidental needlestick injuries. These devices help prevent accidental needlesticks by covering the needle after use, reducing the risk of transmission of bloodborne pathogens.

C. Use the dominant hand to recap the needle before removing it from the pen device:

Recapping needles is not recommended as it increases the risk of needlestick injuries. Additionally, the use of the dominant hand for recapping is not essential and may not be safe practice.

D. Remove the needle from the pen device before placing the needle in a sharps container:

It's crucial to dispose of needles safely in a sharps container immediately after use without removing the needle from the pen device. Removing the needle before disposal increases the risk of needlestick injuries. The entire pen needle unit, including the needle, should be disposed of intact into an appropriate sharps container to minimize the risk of injury to healthcare workers and others handling the waste.

A. Extend the client's neck while securing the ties: This action can compromise the client's airway and is not recommended during tracheostomy tie changes. The client's neck should be in a comfortable, neutral position during the procedure.

B. Use a quick-release knot to secure the ties: Quick-release knots are not typically used for securing tracheostomy ties. Instead, a secure knot that can be easily tied and untied is preferred to ensure the stability of the tracheostomy tube.

C. Allow space for three fingers under the ties when securing.

Allowing space for three fingers is not a standard practice for tracheostomy ties. The ties should be snug but not overly tight, typically allowing for one or two fingers’ width to ensure proper fit and comfort.

D. When changing tracheostomy ties, it is essential to maintain airway security and prevent accidental dislodgement of the tracheostomy tube. The nurse should secure the new ties first before removing the old ones to ensure the tracheostomy remains stable.