A nurse in an emergency department is preparing a client for emergency surgery. The client's blood alcohol level is 180 mg/dL. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?

Choice A Reason:

Placing the client in a protective environment is not necessary for C. difficile gastroenteritis. Standard precautions, including diligent hand hygiene and appropriate personal protective equipment, are sufficient.

Choice B Reason:

Obtain a stool specimen with gloves is necessary. Obtaining a stool specimen with gloves is an appropriate nursing action when caring for a client with Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) gastroenteritis. C. difficile is a bacterium that can cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. It's important to follow infection control practices to prevent the spread of the bacteria.

Choice C Reason:

Cleaning surfaces with chlorhexidine is not the preferred disinfectant for C. difficile. Sporicidal agents, such as bleach-based solutions, are recommended to effectively kill the spores of C. difficile.

Choice D Reason:

Washing hands with alcohol-based hand rub is not sufficient for C. difficile. C. difficile spores are resistant to alcohol-based hand sanitizers, so using soap and water for handwashing is recommended to ensure proper removal of the spores.

Choice A reason:

Obtaining consent for surgery is the correct answer. Obtaining informed consent for surgery is a critical and ethical step to ensure the client's rights are respected and that necessary medical interventions can be performed. However, in cases where the client is unable to provide consent due to their level of intoxication, the nurse should follow established protocols for obtaining consent from a legal guardian or

Choice B reason:

Insert an NG tube is incorrect. Inserting a nasogastric (NG) tube might be a necessary step in preparing a client for surgery in certain cases, but it is not the top priority in this situation. Obtaining consent for surgery takes precedence.

Choice C reason:

Applying ant embolic stockings is incorrect. Applying ant embolic stockings, also known as compression stockings, is an important measure to prevent blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) during and after surgery. However, obtaining consent for surgery is more urgent in an emergency situation.

Choice D reason:

Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter is incorrect. Inserting a urinary catheter might be necessary to monitor the client's urinary output during surgery, but obtaining consent for surgery is the priority action.