A nurse inadvertently administers 160 mg of valsartan PO to a client who was scheduled to receive 80 mg.

Which of the following actions is the priority for the nurse to take?

The correct answer is: B

Choice A reason: A social worker may assist clients in many ways, including finding legal representation. However, this statement does not address the client’s concern about the cost of legal representation for advance directives. It’s important to note that while social workers can provide support, they do not eliminate the need for legal representation if the client chooses to seek it.

Choice B reason: This is the correct statement because advance directives do not require legal representation to be valid. They become legally binding when signed in front of the required witnesses. This option directly addresses the client’s concern about affording legal representation by informing them that it is not necessary for the creation of advance directives.

Choice C reason: While medical care can be initiated without advance directives, this statement does not address the client’s concern about the cost of creating advance directives. It also implies that medical care is contingent on the completion of legal documents, which is not accurate.

Choice D reason: Verbal agreements are not as legally binding as written advance directives and could lead to misunderstandings or disputes later on. It is important for the client to have a clear and documented advance directive, which does not necessarily require legal review to be valid.

Hyperthermia is a condition in which the body temperature is abnormally high, usually due to exposure to heat, infection, or certain medications.

Hyperthermia can cause neurological complications, such as seizures, confusion, or coma. Therefore, the nurse should initiate seizure precautions for an adolescent who has hyperthermia to prevent injury and protect the airway.

Choice A is wrong because covering the adolescent with a thermal blanket would increase the body temperature and worsen hyperthermia. The nurse should remove excess clothing and use cooling measures, such as fans, ice packs, or cool fluids.

Choice B is wrong because submerging the adolescent’s feet in ice water would cause vasoconstriction and shivering, which would reduce heat loss and increase heat production. The nurse should avoid using extreme cold or ice water to cool the body.

Choice D is wrong because administering oral acetaminophen would not be effective for hyperthermia caused by non-infectious factors, such as heat exposure or medications.

Acetaminophen lowers the body temperature by reducing the hypothalamic set point, which is not altered in hyperthermia. Additionally, oral medications may be difficult to swallow or absorb in a hyperthermic patient.

Normal body temperature ranges from 36.5°C to 37.5°C (97.7°F to 99.5°F). Hyperthermia is defined as a body temperature above 38.5°C (101.3°F).