A nurse is caring for a client who is to undergo a subtotal thyroidectomy. Which of the following items should the nurse place at the client’s bedside?

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. 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.