A nurse is caring for a client who has expressive aphasia. Which of the following techniques should the nurse use to meet the communication needs of this client?

A. "I will be told about alternative procedures before I'm asked to sign the consent form." Understanding alternative options is a key component of informed consent. Clients must be informed about the risks, benefits, and alternatives to the proposed procedure so they can make a voluntary, educated decision.

B. "My nurse is responsible for obtaining informed consent." While nurses often witness the client’s signature and may provide teaching, the responsibility for obtaining informed consent legally lies with the provider performing the procedure, who must explain the details and answer questions.

C. "Once I sign the consent form, I cannot change my mind about having the procedure." Clients retain the right to withdraw consent at any time before the procedure begins. Signing the form does not waive this right, and they can refuse or delay the procedure if they choose.

D. "The consent form will include the estimated time for my recovery from the procedure." Recovery time is usually discussed during preoperative teaching but is not a required element of the consent form itself. The form primarily covers procedure details, risks, and alternatives.

A. Check the client's medical records to see which medications were recently administered:
While reviewing medications is important for understanding potential causes of hypoxia, it is not the immediate priority when a client’s oxygen saturation is low. Immediate assessment and intervention to improve oxygenation come first.

B. Notify the charge nurse of the client's condition: Notifying the charge nurse is important but should follow an initial assessment and attempt to address the problem. Immediate client reassessment takes precedence to determine the current status and possible interventions.

C. Review the client's most recent SaO2 level in the medical record: Checking prior oxygen saturation levels can provide context but does not directly address the acute finding of 88% saturation, which requires prompt evaluation and action.

D. Recheck the client's SaO2 level after having the client cough and clear their throat: This action directly addresses a common cause of transient hypoxia such as airway obstruction from secretions. Reassessment after clearing the airway is the priority to determine if oxygenation improves before escalating interventions.