A nurse is assisting with discharge planning for an older adult client who will require dressing changes for a healing pressure ulcer twice daily at home. Which of the following services should the nurse recommend?

A.Notifying the charge nurse is an important action, as it ensures that other team members are aware of the error and can support corrective actions. However, this is not the first action the nurse should take, as assessing the client’s condition takes priority.

B.Informing the provider about the error is essential to allow for any additional orders or corrective measures, such as treatments to mitigate adverse effects. However, the nurse should first assess the client for any changes in condition to report specific findings to the provider if an intervention is needed.

C.Assessing the client’s condition is the first priority when a medication error is discovered. This action helps determine whether the incorrect dose has affected the client, allowing the nurse to provide immediate care if needed.

D.Completing an incident report is necessary to document the error, allowing the facility to review and address any procedural gaps. However, completing the report is not an immediate action in terms of client safety and should occur after assessing the client and notifying the necessary parties.

A. A staff member places a midstream urine sample in a specimen refrigerator after collecting it: This action is appropriate as long as the specimen is labeled correctly and stored at the correct temperature. Proper handling of specimens is essential for accurate testing and does not represent an infection control hazard.

B. A staff member wipes a countertop with chlorhexidine solution to clean the area following a blood spill: This action is appropriate for cleaning a contaminated surface. Chlorhexidine is an effective disinfectant for blood spills. Therefore, this action does not represent an infection control hazard.

C. A nurse uses alcohol-based antiseptic to clean his hands after talking with a client who has varicella zoster: While alcohol-based antiseptics are effective for most pathogens, varicella zosteris primarily spread through direct contact and airborne transmission. It is recommended to wash hands with soap and water after caring for a patient with varicella zoster, especially if hands are visibly soiled. This action may not adequately control the infection hazard.

D. A nurse pours sterile 0.9% sodium chloride irrigation solution on an open pressure wound prior to collecting a specimen for culture: This action is appropriate as long as sterile technique is maintained. Using sterile saline for irrigation is standard practice to minimize the risk of introducing pathogens before specimen collection. Therefore, this action does not represent an infection control hazard.