A newly licensed nurse is having difficulty finishing client care tasks during their shift. Which of the following techniques should the nurse plan to use to assist with time management?

The presence of alcohol on a nurse's breath raises concerns regarding impairment and the potential for compromised patient safety. It is crucial to prioritize patient safety and prevent any potential harm. Removing the nurse from the client care area ensures that immediate patient safety is addressed and minimizes the risk of any adverse events.

Call the supervisor to ask for another nurse: While involving the supervisor is important, it should not be the first action taken in this situation. The immediate priority is to address patient safety by removing the nurse from the client care area.

Assign clients to the remaining staff: Assigning clients to the remaining staff should not be the first action taken because it may compromise patient safety if the nurse in question is impaired. It is important to ensure that the nurse is removed from the client care area before reassigning the clients to other staff members.

Document objective findings about the situation: Documenting the objective findings about the situation is important for accurate record-keeping and reporting. However, it should not be the first action taken when immediate patient safety is at stake. Removing the nurse from the client care area is the priority.

c. Initiate a client referral to Reach to Recovery.

Explanation:

When caring for a female client who has a new diagnosis of breast cancer and expresses concerns about potential changes to her body image, the nurse should initiate a client referral to Reach to Recovery. Reach to Recovery is a program provided by the American Cancer Society that connects breast cancer patients with trained volunteers who have gone through a similar experience. These volunteers can provide emotional support, information, and resources to help the client cope with the physical and emotional changes that may occur due to breast cancer and its treatment.

Explanation for the other options:

a .Reassure the client that she will adjust to changes to her body:

While providing reassurance is important, it may not be sufficient to address the client's concerns about potential changes to her body image. Initiating a referral to Reach to Recovery can provide the client with additional support and resources tailored to her specific needs.

b. Contact an occupational therapist to talk with the client:

While an occupational therapist may have valuable input on certain aspects of the client's care, such as functional abilities and adaptations, initiating a referral to Reach to Recovery would be more appropriate for addressing the client's concerns related to body image.

d. Explain that surgery can restore the breast to its original appearance:

While surgery options such as breast reconstruction can restore the breast to a similar appearance, it is not appropriate for the nurse to make guarantees about the outcome or appearance of the breast after surgery. Every individual's situation is unique, and the decision to undergo surgery and the results of such procedures are dependent on various factors. Referring the client to Reach to Recovery would be more beneficial in addressing her concerns holistically.

In summary, when a client with a new diagnosis of breast cancer expresses concerns about potential changes to her body image, the nurse should initiate a client referral to Reach to Recovery. This program can provide the client with the necessary emotional support and resources to navigate the physical and emotional changes associated with breast cancer and its treatment.