A newly hired nurse asks a charge nurse what safety measures are in place to prevent diversion of controlled substances on the unit. Which of the following statements should the charge nurse make?(Select All that Apply.)

Explanation:

A. Arrange referral for family therapy to deal with home stressors:

While family therapy may be beneficial for addressing home stressors, it is not the first step when there is a suspicion of physical abuse. The priority in cases of suspected abuse is to ensure the client's safety and to report the suspicion to the appropriate authorities.

B. Follow the agency's guidelines for reporting suspected abuse:

This is the correct action to take first. Nurses are mandated reporters, and they must follow their agency's protocols and legal requirements for reporting suspected abuse. Reporting ensures that the client's situation is investigated promptly, and appropriate interventions are implemented to protect the client.

C. Check the bruises at the next visit to the client's home:

Delaying action and waiting until the next visit to check the bruises is not appropriate in cases of suspected abuse. Immediate action is necessary to address the safety of the client. Suspected abuse should be reported promptly to the relevant authorities for investigation.

D. Institute more frequent visits to the client's home:

Increasing the frequency of visits may not address the immediate safety concerns of the client if abuse is suspected. While increased monitoring may be necessary in certain situations, reporting the suspicion of abuse and initiating appropriate interventions should take precedence.

Explanation:

A. Material safety data sheets:

Material safety data sheets (MSDS) are documents that provide information about the properties of chemicals and substances, including hazards, handling, storage, and emergency procedures. While MSDS are crucial for ensuring safe handling of materials, they primarily focus on chemical safety and may not provide detailed guidance on specimen collection protocols. Therefore, while MSDS are essential references for safety, they are not the primary source for revising specimen collection protocols.

B. Evidence-based practice:

Evidence-based practice (EBP) involves integrating the best available evidence from research studies, clinical expertise, and patient values and preferences to make informed decisions about patient care. For revising protocols, nurses should rely heavily on evidence-based guidelines and research literature related to specimen collection techniques, safety measures, accuracy, and quality assurance. EBP ensures that protocols are based on the latest scientific evidence, leading to improved patient outcomes and quality of care.

C. Client medical records:

Client medical records contain detailed information about individual patients, including their medical history, diagnoses, treatments, and laboratory results. While medical records are valuable for understanding specific patient needs and conditions, they are not typically used as primary sources for developing or revising unit-wide protocols. However, reviewing medical records may provide insights into specific challenges or issues related to specimen collection for certain patients.

D. Facility policy and procedures:

Facility policy and procedures manuals outline the organization's guidelines, protocols, and standards of practice for various aspects of patient care, including specimen collection. Nurses should refer to facility policies and procedures to understand existing protocols, safety measures, documentation requirements, and quality control processes related to specimen collection. While facility policies are important references, they may need to be updated based on current evidence and best practices, which is where evidence-based practice comes into play.