A nurse is admitting a client to the psychiatric unit after attempting suicide. The client states, "My family does not care whether I live or die."

Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

A. Assess peripheral circulation hourly. This is correct because clients with SCD are at risk of vaso-occlusive crisis, which can impair blood flow to the extremities and cause tissue ischemia and necrosis. The nurse should monitor for signs of poor circulation such as pallor, coolness, numbness, or pain.

B. Assess the client's mouth every 8 hr. This is correct because clients with SCD are prone to oral ulcers, infections, and dental problems due to chronic anemia and reduced oxygen delivery to the oral mucosa. The nurse should inspect the mouth for lesions, bleeding, inflammation, or infection and provide oral hygiene as needed.

C. Use humidification with oxygen therapy. Administer IV fluids. This is correct because clients with SCD need adequate hydration and oxygenation to prevent sickling of red blood cells and further complications. Humidification helps moisten the airways and prevent dehydration of the mucous membranes. IV fluids help maintain fluid and electrolyte balance and reduce blood viscosity.

D. Raise the knee position on the client's bed. This is incorrect because this can impede venous return and worsen peripheral circulation. The nurse should keep the client's extremities in a neutral position and avoid tight or restrictive clothing or devices.

E. Use an automated blood pressure cuff on the client's arm. Prepare for platelet transfusion. This is incorrect because this can cause mechanical trauma to the arm and trigger a vasoocclusive crisis. The nurse should use a manual blood pressure cuff and avoid applying pressure to the arm. Platelet transfusion is not indicated for clients with SCD unless they have thrombocytopenia or bleeding.

Choice A rationale:

Taking corrective measures to enforce hand hygiene should not be the first step. It is important to establish a baseline and understand the current situation through data collection and analysis before implementing corrective measures.

Choice B rationale:

Establishing methods for collecting data within the facility is a crucial first step. Gathering information about the current hand hygiene practices, compliance rates, and areas of improvement is essential for the audit process. Data collection provides a factual basis for identifying problems and implementing targeted interventions.

Choice C rationale:

Comparing the facility's data with the established criteria for hand hygiene is a subsequent step after data collection. This step helps in evaluating the current practices against the accepted standards and guidelines. However, it is not the first step in the audit process.

Choice D rationale:

Determining the accepted standards for hand hygiene is an essential first step. It involves researching and understanding the national and international guidelines, protocols, and recommendations related to hand hygiene. Knowing the standards helps the task force establish a benchmark against which the facility's practices can be evaluated. It provides a foundation for data collection and subsequent analysis.