A nurse is assisting in caring for a client who was just admitted with partial-thickness burns to their upper torso. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A. Diminished hearing. Hearing loss following a stapedectomy is expected due to postoperative swelling, packing in the ear, and fluid accumulation. Hearing typically improves as healing progresses. This does not require further action by the nurse.
B. Pupils. The preoperative and postoperative pupil assessments are similar (3.5 mm preoperatively and 3 mm postoperatively), and both are equal and reactive to light. No significant neurological change is noted, so this does not require further action.
C. Lung assessment. The lungs were clear bilaterally preoperatively, and there is no indication of respiratory compromise or abnormal lung sounds postoperatively. This does not require further action.
D. Facial nerve assessment. Facial nerve injury (cranial nerve VII dysfunction) is a potential complication of stapedectomy. The nurse should assess for asymmetry in facial movements such as difficulty smiling or drooping, weakness, or numbness, which could indicate facial nerve damage. This requires further action.
E. Vertigo. Postoperative vertigo and dizziness can occur due to disturbance of the inner ear during surgery. Severe or persistent vertigo may indicate labyrinthine injury or perilymph fistula, which could require medical intervention. This requires further action.
F. Pain rating. Postoperative pain is expected, but severe or increasing pain may indicate complications such as infection, excessive pressure in the middle ear, or improper prosthesis placement. Pain that is not relieved by analgesics requires further evaluation. This requires further action.

A. Ask the provider to spell out the name of the medication. Asking the provider to spell out the name of the medication is important to ensure accuracy and prevent medication errors. This step helps clarify any potential confusion regarding similar-sounding medications or names, reducing the risk of administering the wrong drug.
B. Withhold the medication until the provider signs the prescription. Withholding the medication until the provider signs the prescription is not necessary. Telephone prescriptions are valid and can be administered after being documented appropriately, provided that the nurse follows institutional policies regarding the signing of prescriptions. This means that the nurse should not delay necessary medication administration based on awaiting a signature.
C. Record the date and time of the telephone prescription. Recording the date and time of the telephone prescription is essential for accurate medical documentation. This information is critical for maintaining an accurate medication administration record and for legal purposes, ensuring that there is a clear timeline of the prescription order.
D. Request that the provider confirm the read-back of the prescription. Requesting that the provider confirm the read-back of the prescription is a crucial step in ensuring the accuracy of the prescription. The read-back method helps confirm that the nurse understood the prescription correctly and prevents potential errors by allowing the provider to verify the information relayed.
E. Instruct another nurse to record the prescription in the medical record. Instructing another nurse to record the prescription in the medical record is not appropriate. The nurse who received the telephone prescription should document it to maintain accountability and ensure accurate record-keeping. This promotes responsible practice and avoids miscommunication regarding the prescription details.