A nurse is caring for a client who had a transurethral resection of the prostate and now is receiving continuous bladder irrigation. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.)

a. "The machine is programmed to prevent you from administering more than a safe dose."

When reinforcing teaching about epidural PCA (patient-controlled analgesia) with a client in active labor, it is important for the nurse to inform the client about the safety features of the machine. By explaining that the machine is programmed to prevent the client from administering more than a safe dose, the nurse reassures the client that they have control over their pain relief while minimizing the risk of overdose.

Option b, "During medication administration, you will not be able to move your legs freely," is not an accurate statement regarding epidural PCA. While epidural analgesia may cause temporary weakness or loss of sensation in the lower body, the ability to move the legs freely is not necessarily completely impaired. The degree of mobility can vary depending on the dosage and specific characteristics of the epidural.

Option c, "This method of pain control will shorten the second stage of labor," is not a valid statement. Epidural PCA is primarily used for pain relief during labor and delivery but does not directly affect the progression or duration of the second stage of labor, which involves pushing and the delivery of the baby.

Option d, "This type of anesthesia commonly causes a postpartum headache," is also incorrect. While headaches can occur as a potential side effect of epidural anesthesia, they are not specifically associated with epidural PCA. Postpartum headaches can have various causes and are not exclusively related to the use of epidural PCA.

By emphasizing the safety features of the machine and explaining that it prevents the administration of excessive doses, the nurse ensures that the client understands the appropriate use of the epidural PCA for pain control during labor.

Answer: D

Rationale:

A) Collect 2 mL of sputum in an emesis basin: Collecting sputum in an emesis basin is inappropriate for laboratory testing. The sputum should be collected directly into a sterile container to prevent contamination. This ensures that the culture and sensitivity results are accurate and reflect the client's true respiratory pathogens.

B) Instruct the client to rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash prior to specimen collection: Using an antiseptic mouthwash before collecting a sputum sample is not recommended because it may alter the flora present in the sputum, leading to inaccurate culture results. Instead, the client should rinse their mouth with plain water to clear excess saliva or food debris.

C) Swab the oropharynx with a sterile swab: Swabbing the oropharynx does not obtain sputum from the lungs but instead gathers a sample from the throat, which may not be reflective of lower respiratory infections. A proper sputum sample is produced through a deep cough to collect material directly from the lungs.

D) Refrigerate the specimen until the time of transport to the laboratory: Refrigerating the sputum specimen helps to preserve its integrity by preventing the overgrowth of bacteria or other pathogens until it can be transported to the laboratory. Proper refrigeration ensures that the culture and sensitivity results remain accurate.