A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a procedure that required moderate sedation using midazolam. Which of the following should the nurse have on hand?

Choice A reason: Wearing gloves prevents nicotine absorption through the nurse’s skin during patch application, ensuring safety and preventing side effects like dizziness. This adheres to standard precautions, critical for occupational health, maintaining hygiene, and ensuring effective nicotine therapy for clients in smoking cessation programs.

Choice B reason: Removing the previous patch is correct but placing it in tissue is inadequate; it should be folded and disposed in a sharps container. Assuming tissue disposal is sufficient risks improper handling, potentially exposing others to nicotine, critical to avoid in safe patch management.

Choice C reason: Applying the patch within 1 hour of pouch removal is unnecessary; patches remain stable longer. Wearing gloves is priority. Assuming time restriction risks rushed application, potentially compromising technique, critical to prevent in ensuring safe and effective nicotine patch therapy for smoking cessation.

Choice D reason: Shaving hairy areas risks skin irritation; trimming is preferred before patch application. Wearing gloves is essential. Assuming shaving is correct risks skin damage, reducing patch adhesion, critical to avoid in ensuring proper application and effective nicotine delivery in smoking cessation therapy.

Choice A reason: Bed rest for 24 hours post-surgery increases stasis, risking thrombosis; range-of-motion exercises promote circulation. Assuming bed rest is correct risks complications, critical to avoid in ensuring active circulation and preventing venous thromboembolism in postoperative clients during recovery.

Choice B reason: Placing a pillow under knees promotes venous pooling, increasing clot risk; range-of-motion exercises are safer. Assuming pillow use is correct risks impaired circulation, critical to prevent in ensuring effective postoperative care and reducing thrombosis risk in surgical clients.

Choice C reason: Incentive spirometry prevents respiratory complications, not directly promoting circulation; range-of-motion exercises are key. Assuming spirometry aids circulation risks overlooking mobility needs, critical to avoid in ensuring proper venous return and clot prevention in postoperative clients during recovery.

Choice D reason: Range-of-motion exercises promote circulation post-surgery, preventing venous stasis and thrombosis, critical for recovery. This instruction ensures active blood flow, essential for reducing clot risk, supporting healing, and enhancing postoperative outcomes in clients across various surgical procedures.