A nurse in an acute care center is caring for a client who just died. The client’s family requests to perform the postmortem care. Which of the following is an appropriate response for the nurse to make?

The correct answer is choice B: Explain to the client that they cannot leave until the surgeon discharges them.

Choice B rationale: The nurse should explain the importance of following the surgeon's orders and the potential consequences of leaving before being officially discharged. This approach provides patient education and promotes collaboration between the client and the health care team. It also ensures the client understands that leaving without proper discharge could lead to complications or inadequate recovery.

Choice A rationale: Threatening the client with restraints is not an appropriate action, as it may cause undue stress and escalate the situation. Restraints should only be used as a last resort in cases where the client poses an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others.

Choice C rationale: While having the client sign an against medical advice (AMA) form might be appropriate if the client insists on leaving, the nurse should first attempt to educate the client on the importance of following the surgeon's orders and collaborate with the client to resolve any concerns or issues leading to their desire to leave.

Choice D rationale: Administering a sedative medication is not an appropriate action in this situation. Sedation should only be used when medically necessary and not as a means to control a client's behavior or decisions.

It's common practice to check blood pressure in both arms when there is a significant discrepancy in blood pressure readings between the arms. This discrepancy could be due to factors like arterial blockages or other conditions. By measuring the blood pressure in the other arm, the nurse can confirm whether the high blood pressure is consistent on both sides or if there was an issue with the initial measurement. This step helps provide a more accurate assessment of the client's blood pressure.

- The other options are not appropriate at this stage:

Deflating the cuff faster may not resolve the issue and could lead to inaccurate measurements.

Requesting a prescription for an antihypertensive medication should only be done after confirming the blood pressure is consistently elevated and under the direction of a healthcare provider.

Using a narrower cuff is not indicated in this situation. It's more important to assess the other arm's blood pressure to identify any discrepancies.