A nurse is collecting a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity from a client who has an indwelling urinary catheter. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A Reason:

This is the correct action. A filter needle should be used when drawing medication from an ampule to prevent glass particles from being aspirated into the syringe and subsequently administered to the patient.

Choice B Reason:

Adding 0.5 ml of diluent to the medication is incorrect. Adding diluent to medication from an ampule is not a standard practice. Ampules usually contain pre-measured doses of medication and are designed for direct withdrawal without dilution. Adding diluent could alter the concentration and effectiveness of the medication.

Choice C Reason:

This is not necessary. Once the ampule is opened, it should be handled with care to avoid contamination, but cleansing the tip with an alcohol swab is not a standard practice since it does not effectively remove glass particles.

Choice D Reason:

This is incorrect. Ampules are not pressurized containers, and injecting air into an ampule is unnecessary and could cause the medication to spill out or create bubbles that interfere with accurate dosing.

Choice A Reason:

"I cannot confirm or deny that we have a client by that name." is correct. Respecting patient confidentiality is crucial in healthcare. Revealing any information about a patient's condition without proper authorization or consent could breach confidentiality laws, such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) in the United States. Therefore, providing minimal to no information over the phone to an unidentified caller is the appropriate approach to safeguard the patient's privacy.

Choice B Reason:

"I will tell him you called." Is incorrect. This response implies that the nurse will pass along the information or the fact that the employer called, potentially breaching the patient's confidentiality by confirming the client's presence in the hospital to an unauthorized person.

Choice C Reason:

"The client's condition is stable right now." Is incorrect. Revealing any information about the patient's condition to someone who hasn't been authorized to receive such information can breach patient confidentiality. Even stating that the condition is stable discloses some level of the patient's health status without proper consent.

Choice D Reason:

"He is here in the hospital, but I cannot tell you anything else." Is incorrect. While this response acknowledges the patient's presence in the hospital, it also hints that the nurse has information about the patient. It doesn't adhere to the standard of patient confidentiality, potentially breaching the patient's privacy.