A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who is admitted to the medical surgical unit.

Complete the following sentences by using the list of options:

The nurse anticipates the client will likely require

______

as evidenced by the client’s

_______

and

______

.

A) *The client's partner visited earlier today for 2 hours: While this information is helpful for the personal context of the client, it is not essential to the clinical care of the client or a critical part of the handoff. The change-of-shift report should focus on relevant clinical information that affects ongoing care, such as treatment responses, medications, or changes in condition.

B) "The client reports pain is reduced when he is positioned on his side": This is important clinical information that should be included in the report. It provides insight into the client’s current comfort measures and pain management strategies. Sharing how the client’s pain can be alleviated will help the next nurse provide the most effective care and manage the client's comfort.

C) "The client received the prescribed antibiotic every 8 hours": While medication administration is an essential part of the report, this specific detail is unnecessary if the medication administration schedule is already part of the client's medical record or the nurse's medication administration documentation. The change-of-shift report should focus on whether the client has had any reactions, responses, or issues related to the medication, rather than simply repeating the schedule.

D) "The client's mother died 4 years ago from breast cancer": This personal history may be relevant to understanding the client's emotional well-being but is not essential in a clinical report unless it directly impacts current care. If the client's grief or family history affects their current health status (such as in the case of emotional distress, family health risks, or health behaviors), it may be relevant, but it's generally not a priority in a shift report unless it has immediate implications for care.

A) Instruct another nurse to record the prescription in the medical record:
The nurse receiving a telephone prescription is responsible for ensuring the prescription is recorded correctly in the medical record. It is not appropriate to delegate this responsibility to another nurse. The nurse should personally document the prescription to ensure accuracy and clarity.

B) Withhold the medication until the provider signs the prescription:
The nurse should not withhold the medication solely based on the provider's signature. Telephone prescriptions are valid once they are received and documented accurately by the nurse. The prescription must be signed by the provider as soon as possible, but withholding medication is not warranted unless there are other concerns with the prescription.

C) Ask the provider to spell out the name of the medication:
When receiving a telephone prescription, the nurse should ask the provider to spell out the name of the medication to avoid errors. Medication names, especially those that sound similar, need to be communicated clearly to ensure correct medication administration. This action helps prevent misinterpretation or confusion, ensuring patient safety.

D) Record the date and time of the telephone prescription:
Recording the date and time of the telephone prescription is essential for accurate documentation and legal purposes. This step ensures that there is a clear record of when the prescription was given and that the provider’s order is traceable in the client’s medical record. It also assists in meeting legal and institutional documentation requirements.

E) Request that the provider confirm the read-back of the prescription:
The nurse should read back the prescription to the provider to confirm accuracy. This action is part of the "read-back" process, a safety measure used to verify that the prescription has been communicated correctly and understood by both the nurse and the provider. This step helps reduce the risk of medication errors.