A nurse is assessing a client who is at 24 weeks of gestation during a routine prenatal exam. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

Rationale:

A. Ensure that each client has a living will on file prior to treatment: While advance directives are encouraged, clients have the right to choose whether to have one, and care cannot be delayed or denied if they do not.

B. Place copies of incident reports in clients' medical records: Incident reports are internal risk management tools and should not be placed in the medical record, as this could increase legal liability and compromise confidentiality.

C. Obtain personal professional liability insurance coverage: Having individual liability coverage provides additional protection beyond employer coverage, ensuring legal and financial support if malpractice claims arise.

D. Overestimate clients' acuity to prevent short staffing: Falsifying acuity levels is unethical and can result in disciplinary action or loss of license; staffing concerns should be addressed through proper administrative channels.

Rationale for correct choices:

• Skin turgor: Poor skin turgor indicates dehydration, which can lead to electrolyte imbalances, hypotension, and renal complications. Immediate assessment and fluid management are necessary to prevent further physiological deterioration.
• Heart rate: A heart rate of 120/min is tachycardic. This can be caused by dehydration, stimulant effects of mania, or other underlying medical issues. It requires prompt monitoring and intervention to prevent cardiovascular compromise.
• Sleep pattern: The client has not slept for 2 days, which increases the risk for physical exhaustion, worsening psychiatric symptoms, and impaired judgment. Sleep deprivation in the context of mania requires immediate attention to stabilize the client.
• Hallucinations: The client reports listening to unseen others, indicating auditory hallucinations. This can pose a risk for self-harm or unsafe behaviors, and immediate psychiatric assessment and intervention are warranted.

Rationale for incorrect choice:

• Hygiene: While the client’s hair and clothing are unclean, indicating self-care deficits, this is not an immediate threat to physiological stability. It is important for overall care planning but does not require urgent intervention compared to dehydration, tachycardia, sleep deprivation, or hallucinations.