A nurse in an emergency department receives report from an emergency responder who states a client is being transported following exposure to a "dirty bomb". The nurse should prepare to care for a client that has been exposed to which of the following types of agents?

Rationale:

A. Removal of the nasogastric tube is a more complex task that typically requires the nurse’s assessment and judgment.

B. Monitoring vital signs is within the scope of tasks that can be assigned to assistive personnel. This task involves routine observation and does not require complex decision-making.

C. Application of antibiotic ointment requires specific knowledge about the condition and treatment, which is generally performed by a nurse.

D. Obtaining medical history information is a task that requires clinical judgment and interaction, and should be done by a nurse rather than an assistive personnel.

Rationale:

A. Informing the staff member of her appraisal time for that day prior to change-of-shift report is not ideal as it may disrupt the shift handover process.

B. Scheduling the appraisal interview as early in the shift as possible might not be feasible or considerate, especially if it impacts patient care or the staff member's workflow.

C. Providing the staff member with a copy of the appraisal form in advance is best practice as it allows the staff member to prepare for the discussion and address any concerns or achievements.

D. Providing a chair directly across the desk for the staff member to sit in is not as important as preparing the staff member by sharing the appraisal criteria in advance.