A nurse at a clinic receives a provider's prescription to admit a child to an acute care facility for asthma management. The nurse reinforces teaching with the parents about acute care. Which of the following statements by the parent indicates an understanding of acute care?

The correct answer is: c. Less time for direct client care

Choice A: Decreased amount of paperwork

Reason: One of the advantages of electronic charting is that it significantly reduces the amount of paperwork. Traditional paper records require extensive manual documentation, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors. Electronic systems streamline this process, making it easier to input and retrieve patient information. Therefore, decreased paperwork is a benefit, not a challenge.

Choice B: Increased number of medication errors

Reason: Electronic charting systems are designed to reduce medication errors by providing features such as electronic prescribing, automated alerts for potential drug interactions, and barcode scanning for medication administration. These systems help ensure that the right medication is given to the right patient at the right time, thereby decreasing the likelihood of errors. Hence, increased medication errors are not typically associated with electronic charting.

Choice C: Less time for direct client care

Reason: One of the significant challenges of electronic charting is that it can be time-consuming, requiring nurses to spend a considerable amount of time on documentation. This can reduce the time available for direct patient care. Nurses often report that the demands of electronic documentation can detract from their ability to engage with patients, perform assessments, and provide hands-on care.

Choice D: Provides evidence of care provided

Reason: Providing evidence of care is a benefit of electronic charting, not a challenge. Electronic health records (EHRs) create a detailed and accurate record of the care provided, which can be easily accessed and reviewed. This documentation is crucial for legal, regulatory, and quality improvement purposes. Therefore, this option does not represent a challenge.

Choice A reason: This statement is false and should not be included in the teaching. Placing the client on 12hour observation is not enough to ensure the client's safety, as the client may still attempt suicide when the nurse is not watching. The client should be placed on continuous observation, preferably one-to-one, until the risk of suicide is reduced.

Choice B reason: This statement is false and should not be included in the teaching. Encouraging visitors to bring items to the client is not advisable, as some items may pose a potential danger to the client, such as sharp objects, medications, or alcohol. The nurse should inspect and limit the items that the client and the visitors have access to, and remove any items that could be used for self-harm.

Choice C reason: This statement is false and should not be included in the teaching. Encouraging visitors for the client at any time is not appropriate, as some visitors may have a negative impact on the client, such as those who are abusive, judgmental, or unsupportive. The nurse should screen and monitor the visitors, and allow only those who are helpful and respectful to the client.

Choice D reason: This statement is true and should be included in the teaching. Removing harmful objects from the client's room is a priority action that the nurse should take to prevent the client from harming themselves. The nurse should search the client's room and belongings, and remove any objects that could be used for suicide, such as knives, scissors, razors, belts, cords, or plastic bags.