A nurse is admitting a client who is at risk for falls. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?

• Prepare client for insertion of 18-gauge peripheral IV prior to surgery: A large-bore IV catheter, such as an 18-gauge, is necessary before surgery to ensure rapid administration of fluids, medications, or blood products if needed during the procedure. It is a measure to support hemodynamic stability during anesthesia and surgery.
• Administer Rh, D immune globin prior to surgery: The client's blood type is B negative. Because an ectopic pregnancy involves fetal tissue, and there's a potential for fetal-maternal blood mixing during the surgery, administering Rh(D) immune globulin (RhoGAM) is crucial to prevent Rh sensitization in Rh-negative women who may be carrying an Rh-positive fetus. This is typically given within 72 hours of a potential sensitizing event.
• Obtain a complete blood count: A CBC is critical to assess hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet levels before surgery. This helps the healthcare team anticipate the risk of bleeding and determine if transfusions might be necessary during or after the laparoscopic procedure.
• Explain the surgical procedure to the client: Explaining the surgical procedure is the provider's responsibility, not the nurse's role. The nurse can reinforce teaching and answer basic questions but should not be the primary person explaining the procedure or obtaining informed consent.
• Remind client to be NPO prior to surgery: Maintaining NPO status is essential to reduce the risk of aspiration during anesthesia. The client should avoid eating or drinking for a specified time before surgery, following the facility's preoperative protocol.
• Verify consent form is signed by the client: Verifying that the informed consent form is properly signed is a crucial nursing responsibility before surgery. It ensures legal compliance and confirms that the client has been informed about the procedure, risks, and alternatives.

A. Use humor to decrease tension: Humor may not translate well across cultures and languages, and it can lead to miscommunication or offend the client unintentionally. It is better to maintain a respectful, clear, and professional communication style when using an interpreter.

B. Speak in short sentences: Using short, clear sentences helps the interpreter accurately convey the nurse’s message to the client. It allows for better understanding and avoids overwhelming the interpreter with complex information that could get misinterpreted.

C. Speak in third person: Speaking in third person can cause confusion and distance the nurse from the client. It is best to speak directly to the client using first and second person ("I" and "you") so the interaction feels more personal and respectful.

D. Talk directly to the interpreter: The nurse should always speak directly to the client, maintaining eye contact and body language with the client. The interpreter is there to facilitate communication, not to replace the direct interaction between the nurse and the client.