A home health nurse is planning care for a client who has Alzheimer's disease.
Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Choice A rationale:

Checking the medical record for prior blood glucose test results is a task that can be delegated to the assistive personnel (AP). It provides relevant information for the nurse to assess the client's current condition. However, it is not the most crucial step in ensuring the safe performance of the blood glucose test.

Choice B rationale:

Asking the client if she has taken her antidiabetic medication today is important, but this task is better suited for the nurse, as it requires accurate communication with the client about their medication history and adherence. Delegating this task to the AP may lead to potential misunderstandings or errors in the information provided.

Choice C rationale:

The nurse should determine if the AP has the necessary skills and competence to perform the blood glucose test. Delegating tasks based on the competency of the staff member ensures the safety and well-being of the client. If the AP is not skilled in performing the test, the nurse should assign the task to someone else or perform the test personally.

Choice D rationale:

The nurse should not directly perform the blood glucose test if it can be safely delegated to the AP. Delegating appropriate tasks to competent staff members allows nurses to focus on more complex aspects of client care and ensures efficient use of resources within the healthcare team.

Choice A rationale:

Applying skin sealant on damp skin is not a correct technique when changing an ostomy appliance. Skin should be clean and thoroughly dry before applying any ostomy products. Moisture on the skin can interfere with the adhesion of the pouching system, leading to skin irritation and leakage.

Choice B rationale:

Removing the appliance before emptying the pouch is not the correct technique. Ostomy pouches are designed to be emptied without removing the entire appliance. Removing the pouch unnecessarily can cause discomfort to the client and may damage the surrounding skin. Regular emptying of the pouch while leaving the appliance in place is the appropriate practice.

Choice C rationale:

Ensuring that the skin is slightly damp for better adhesion of the pouch is not accurate. Ostomy pouches adhere best to clean, dry skin. Moisture on the skin can compromise the adhesive seal and lead to skin irritation. Therefore, the skin should be thoroughly dried before applying the ostomy pouching system.

Choice D rationale:

Tracing the size of the stoma onto the skin barrier is the correct technique when changing an ostomy appliance. The opening of the skin barrier (wafer) should match the size and shape of the stoma to ensure a proper fit. Tracing the stoma's size onto the barrier helps in cutting the opening to the appropriate size, preventing leakage and ensuring a secure fit around the stoma.