A nurse is caring for a client who had an indwelling urinary catheter inserted 3 days ago. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A Reason:

Have the client sign an against medical advice (AMA) form is incorrect. While this form allows patients to leave against medical advice after acknowledging the risks, it should be used after thorough discussion, ensuring the patient understands the consequences. In this case, the client is postoperative and might not have received clearance from the surgeon, so this option may not be appropriate without further assessment.

Choice B Reason:

Tell the client that the surgeon will prescribe restraints if they try to leave is incorrect. Threatening restraints is not a suitable or ethical approach. Using restraints should be a last resort for ensuring safety, especially if a patient is attempting to leave. It's crucial to communicate and engage in dialogue rather than resorting to threats or coercion.

Choice C Reason:

Explain to the client that they cannot leave until the surgeon discharges them is correct. This action prioritizes the safety and well-being of the client while also informing them of the necessary procedure before leaving the hospital. It's essential to communicate the discharge process and ensure that the client understands the potential risks of leaving without proper medical approval. This approach maintains respect for the client's autonomy while emphasizing the importance of following the medical protocol for a safe recovery.

Choice D Reason:

Administer a sedative medication to the client is incorrect. Using sedatives to prevent a patient from leaving is not ethically or medically appropriate unless there's a critical situation where the patient is a danger to themselves or others. Administering sedatives without proper justification or consent violates ethical principles and could potentially harm the patient.

Explanation

Choice A Reason:

A client receives burns from a heating pad is correct. Any injury or harm caused to a client due to a medical device or equipment should be documented in an incident report for evaluation and review to prevent future incidents.

Choice B Reason:

A client's visitor becomes dizzy and faints in the client's room is incorrect. While this event might prompt the nurse to provide immediate assistance and seek medical attention for the visitor, it doesn't typically fall under the purview of an incident report unless it results from an issue within the healthcare facility.

Choice C Reason:

A client becomes disoriented and falls out of bed is correct. Falls resulting in injury or harm to the client, especially due to disorientation, should be documented to assess potential preventive measures and ensure appropriate care.

Choice D Reason:

A client reports being dissatisfied with the temperature of the meals provided is incorrect. Client dissatisfaction with meal temperature is an important concern, but it's generally addressed through communication and service improvement rather than being documented in an incident report unless it poses a risk to the client's health (e.g., if the food was excessively hot, causing harm).