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. Use trochanter rolls beside the client's legs:

Trochanter rolls are positioning devices placed alongside the thighs to prevent external rotation of the hips when a client is lying supine. This helps maintain proper alignment and prevents hip contractures, especially in clients who are immobile.

B. Logroll the client every 4 hr:

Logrolling is a technique used to turn a client with spinal precautions, such as after spinal surgery or injury. It involves turning the entire body as a unit to avoid twisting the spine. However, in a general plan of care for an immobile client, logrolling every 4 hours may not be necessary unless there are specific medical indications.

C. Place the client's arms at their side when turning them:

Placing the client's arms at their side may not be the most optimal positioning during turns, as it can contribute to joint contractures. The nurse should consider positioning the arms in a manner that maintains joint flexibility and prevents contractures.

D. Cross the client's ankles when lying supine:

Crossing the client's ankles when lying supine is not a recommended practice. It can lead to pressure on the lateral aspect of the knees and ankles, potentially causing discomfort and impairing circulation. It is important to maintain proper alignment and support for the client's lower extremities.

A. Check that the client has a small gauge IV catheter in place.

Blood transfusions require a large-bore IV catheter (18-20 gauge) to prevent hemolysis and ensure efficient infusion. A small gauge IV (such as 22-24G) is not appropriate for PRBCs as it can slow the infusion and damage red blood cells.

B. Check the blood product's compatibility with the client's blood type: Before administering packed red blood cells (PRBCs), the nurse must verify blood compatibility to prevent a hemolytic transfusion reaction, which can be life-threatening.

C. Prime the client's primary IV tubing with lactated Ringer’s.

Only normal saline (0.9% NaCl) should be used to prime the IV tubing for a blood transfusion. Lactated Ringer’s and dextrose solutions can cause hemolysis and clotting of the blood product.

D. Confirm the identity of the client with the blood bank technician.While verifying the blood product is critical, the nurse should confirm the client’s identity at the bedside with another licensed nurse, not the blood bank technician. This ensures that the right blood is given to the right client following facility protocols.