A nurse is caring for a client who is on isolation precautions. Which of the following pieces of personal protective equipment should the nurse remove first?

Rationale:

A. Urinary retention: Urinary retention is a potential side effect of epidural anesthesia due to blockade of sacral nerves, not necessarily a sign of unrelieved pain. It may occur even if pain is well managed, especially with regional anesthetics affecting bladder function.

B. Restlessness: Restlessness is a common behavioral indicator of unrelieved pain. When verbal reporting is limited or unreliable, restlessness may reflect discomfort, agitation, or anxiety related to inadequate pain control following procedures such as epidural administration.

C. Difficulty swallowing: Difficulty swallowing is not associated with pain from a herniated disc or the effects of an epidural. It may instead suggest upper airway or neurologic issues and should prompt assessment for complications unrelated to pain control.

D. Constipation: Constipation is more commonly linked to opioid use or immobility rather than unrelieved pain. While discomfort may contribute, constipation alone does not reliably indicate the adequacy of pain relief in clients receiving an epidural.

Rationale:

A. Notify the unit manager: Informing the unit manager is necessary for institutional follow-up and quality assurance. However, it is not the immediate concern. Client safety and clinical status must be assessed first to determine if harm has occurred due to the error.

B. Collect data on the client: Assessing the client is the priority to determine if the excessive fluid has caused complications such as fluid overload, pulmonary edema, or changes in vital signs. Early identification of adverse effects is essential to guide further intervention.

C. Notify the provider: The provider should be informed after assessing the client so that appropriate medical interventions or monitoring can be initiated. Immediate data collection ensures the nurse can give accurate information about the client’s status.

D. Complete an incident report: Documentation of the error is an important step for institutional learning and accountability. However, it is not time-sensitive in the way client safety and assessment are and should follow after urgent clinical actions are taken.