A nurse is caring for a client whose partner recently died. The nurse sits with the client to provide comfort.

Which of the following ethical principles is the nurse demonstrating?

This means that the client knows who they are, where they are, and what time it is. This indicates a high level of consciousness and a normal Glasgow coma scale (GCS) rating of 15.

Choice A is wrong because the client withdraws from pain.

This means that the client reacts to a painful stimulus by pulling away from it. This indicates a lower level of consciousness and a GCS rating of 4 for motor response.

Choice B is wrong because the client is unable to obey commands.

This means that the client does not follow simple instructions such as moving a limb or opening their eyes. This indicates a lower level of consciousness and a GCS rating of 1 or 2 for motor response.

Choice C is wrong because the client opens eyes to sound.

This means that the client does not open their eyes spontaneously, but only when they hear a loud noise. This indicates a lower level of consciousness and a GCS rating of 3 for eye opening.

The Glasgow coma scale is a clinical tool used to assess the level of consciousness of a person after a brain injury.

It consists of three tests: eye opening, verbal response, and motor response.

Each test has a score range from 1 to 6, with higher scores indicating higher levels of consciousness. The total score ranges from 3 to 15, with lower scores indicating higher risk of death.

Answer is… Stay with the client for the first 15 min of the transfusion and Document the blood product transfusion in the client’s medical record are indicated nursing actions for the client. Obtain the first unit of packed RBCs from the blood bank is also indicated, but it should be done before starting the transfusion. Titrate the rate of infusion to maintain the client’s blood pressure at least 90/60 mm Hg and Start an IV bolus of lactated Ringer’s solution are not indicated nursing actions for the client.

Explanation:.

• Staying with the client for the first 15 min of the transfusion is indicated because this is when most adverse reactions occur and the nurse should monitor the client’s vital signs and symptoms closely.
• Documenting the blood product transfusion in the client’s medical record is indicated because this is part of the legal and ethical responsibility of the nurse and it provides a record of the type, amount, duration, and outcome of the transfusion.
• Obtaining the first unit of packed RBCs from the blood bank is indicated because this is part of the preparation for the transfusion and it ensures that the blood product is compatible, fresh, and available. However, this should be done before starting the transfusion, not after.
• Titrating the rate of infusion to maintain the client’s blood pressure at least 90/60 mm Hg is not indicated because this may cause fluid overload or hemolysis in the client who already has a low blood pressure and a high heart rate. The rate of infusion should be based on the client’s condition, weight, and response to the transfusion, not on a fixed target.
• Starting an IV bolus of lactated Ringer’s solution is not indicated because this may cause electrolyte imbalance or hemolysis in the client who already has a positive H. pylori test and a history of gastrointestinal bleeding. The only fluid that should be infused with blood products is 0.9% NaCl (normal saline) because it has a similar osmolarity and pH as blood and it prevents clotting or hemolysis.