A nurse is admitting a client who has diabetic ketoacidosis. Which of the following types of continuous infusions should the nurse initiate?

A. Match the client's blood type with the type and cross match specimen. While type and crossmatch are important for allogeneic transfusions, an autologous transfusion uses the client’s own previously donated blood, so this is not the primary method for identification.
B. Confirm the provider's prescription matches the number on the blood component. Although important, this step alone does not verify the client’s identity. The nurse must also confirm the blood unit matches the correct client.
C. Ask the client to state his blood type and the date of the blood donation. Client recall is not a reliable form of identification for transfusion safety, as it is prone to error or misunderstanding.
D. Ensure that the client's identification band matches the number on the blood unit. This is the correct and safest method to confirm identity before administering an autologous blood product. It ensures the blood product is matched to the correct patient.

• Postoperative ileus: Ileus is a common complication after abdominal surgery due to anesthesia, opioid use, and limited mobility. It presents as delayed return of bowel function, marked by absent bowel sounds and abdominal discomfort. In this case, the child has absent bowel sounds and increasing tenderness, supporting this risk.
• Atelectasis: Atelectasis generally presents with diminished breath sounds and hypoxia, not clear breath sounds. Although the child has shallow respirations and is refusing the incentive spirometer, there are no respiratory findings such as decreased oxygen saturation or adventitious breath sounds that support this condition currently.
• Peritonitis: Peritonitis would present with systemic symptoms like fever, severe abdominal pain, rebound tenderness, or signs of sepsis. The child has mild abdominal tenderness and stable vital signs, which do not indicate peritoneal inflammation at this time.
• Urinary retention: This would be characterized by lack of urination, bladder distension, or discomfort—none of which are noted in the scenario. The child’s urinary output and bladder status are not identified as concerns, making this diagnosis unlikely.
• Absent bowel sounds: This is a key clinical sign of ileus. After surgery, bowel activity should return gradually. Continued absence of sounds, especially along with abdominal tenderness, strongly indicates impaired gastrointestinal motility.
• Shallow respirations: While shallow breathing is often a contributing factor to respiratory complications, in the context of abdominal surgery, it also limits diaphragmatic movement, which can further suppress bowel activity and contribute to postoperative ileus.
• Clear breath sounds: This is a normal respiratory finding and does not support the presence of atelectasis or other pulmonary complications. It suggests that lung fields are adequately ventilated despite shallow breathing.
• Intact abdominal dressing: This is an expected postoperative finding and does not support a diagnosis of infection, wound complication, or ileus. It indicates proper surgical wound healing.