A nurse is caring for a client who is at 10 weeks of gestation and reports difficulty sleeping due to frequent urges to urinate throughout the night. Which of the following recommendations should the nurse make?

Rationale:

A. Removing an NG tube: Removing a nasogastric tube is a task that can be safely delegated to a licensed practical nurse (LPN) under appropriate supervision, as it is considered a stable, routine procedure that does not require complex assessment.

B. Administering a subcutaneous insulin injection: LPNs are trained and authorized to administer subcutaneous injections, including insulin, as long as the client's condition is stable and the dose is clearly prescribed.

C. Providing discharge teaching about home IV medication therapy: Discharge education involving IV therapy requires comprehensive teaching, clinical judgment, and evaluation of understanding, which falls within the scope of practice of a registered nurse (RN).

D. Collecting a sputum culture: Collecting a sputum specimen is a basic nursing task that can be performed by an LPN or even by trained assistive personnel, depending on facility policy. It does not require the expertise of an RN.

Rationale:

A. Tonic-clonic seizures: Tonic-clonic activity is induced during the ECT procedure itself but typically resolves within seconds. It is not expected to persist 15 minutes post-procedure, as seizure activity is carefully controlled and monitored during the treatment.

B. Sleep apnea: While general anesthesia used during ECT can cause brief respiratory depression, sleep apnea is not a typical or expected consequence of the procedure. Continuous monitoring ensures airway patency during and immediately after treatment.

C. Paresthesias: Numbness or tingling sensations (paresthesias) are not common side effects of ECT. The procedure affects brain activity and cognition rather than peripheral nerves, making this symptom unlikely post-treatment.

D. Disorientation: Temporary confusion or disorientation is a common and expected side effect shortly after ECT. It typically resolves within 30 to 60 minutes as the effects of anesthesia wear off, and it is routinely monitored during recovery.