A nurse is assisting in the care of a client in an outpatient mental health clinic.

Click to highlight the findings that indicate the client is experiencing adverse effects of the medication. To deselect a finding, click on the finding again.

Nurses' Notes

Today:

Client states, "I'm feeling much better." They report less fatigue, even though they have difficulty sleeping. Client reports they are not sad anymore but are experiencing more frequent headaches. Client continues to deny any suicidal ideation.

Vital Signs

Today:

Blood pressure 169/91 mm Hg

Heart rate 78/min

Respiratory rate 18/min

A. A client who requires sterile dressing changes every three hours: Sterile dressing changes require skilled nursing care and must be performed by a licensed nurse. An assistive personnel (AP) is not trained or authorized to perform sterile procedures, making this assignment inappropriate.

B. A client who has a small bowel obstruction and requires insertion of a nasogastric tube: Inserting a nasogastric tube is an invasive procedure that requires clinical judgment and proper technique, which are responsibilities of licensed nursing staff, not assistive personnel.

C. A client who is postoperative and requires intake and output measurement every 2 hr: Measuring and recording intake and output is within the scope of practice for assistive personnel. It is a routine, noninvasive task that does not require nursing assessment or judgment.

D. A client on hospice who is unstable and requires frequent vital sign checks: An unstable hospice client requires close monitoring and clinical assessment. Although assistive personnel can measure vital signs, evaluating changes and determining their significance must be done by licensed nursing staff.

A. Remind the client that they have been refusing the medication for 5 days: Pointing out the duration of refusal may come across as confrontational and does not respect the client's right to refuse treatment. It can also damage the therapeutic relationship without addressing the underlying concerns about the medication.

B. Inform the client that their provider will contact them to discuss their refusal of the medication: While involving the provider may eventually be necessary, the immediate nursing action should be to document the refusal accurately. The nurse can then inform the provider if needed based on facility policy.

C. Document the client's refusal in the medication administration record: Clients have the legal right to refuse medication, and it is the nurse’s responsibility to document the refusal clearly and objectively. Accurate documentation ensures legal protection for the client and the healthcare team and maintains the integrity of the medical record.

D. Notify the pharmacy about the client's refusal of the medication: Notifying the pharmacy about a single medication refusal is unnecessary unless there are repeated refusals requiring a change in the medication order. The pharmacy’s role is not to manage client compliance but to dispense prescribed medications.