A nurse is collecting data from a client who has pneumonia and a prescription for cefazolin. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider prior to administering the initial dose? (Click on the exhibit tabs for additional information about the client. There are three tabs that contain separate categories of data.)

• seizures: If a thyroid storm occurs, the client can experience seizures due to the extreme metabolic disturbances and nervous system overstimulation it causes. Seizures would be a serious complication indicating worsening neurological function. Therefore, the client’s risk for seizures is directly related to the risk of developing a thyroid storm after surgery.
• paralytic ileus: Paralytic ileus involves bowel inactivity post-surgery, but the client had normoactive bowel sounds before surgery and no current documentation of absent or significantly reduced bowel activity. Therefore, this is not the most immediate risk based on current findings.
• pneumonia: The client is receiving oxygen therapy and has a slightly increased respiratory rate after surgery, but no signs of labored breathing, abnormal lung sounds, or infection are reported. Although inactivity can contribute to pneumonia risk postoperatively, there are no current findings indicating that pneumonia is developing right now.
• thyroid storm: The client had a thyroidectomy after presenting with signs of severe hyperthyroidism (weight loss, heat intolerance, anxiety, exophthalmos, goiter) and elevated T3 and T4 levels. Thyroid storm is a critical risk after thyroidectomy due to sudden hormone release, and it can cause life-threatening complications such as high fever, hypertension, tachycardia, and altered mental status.
• bowel sounds: The bowel sounds were normal before surgery, and there is no mention of significant gastrointestinal changes postoperatively. Bowel sounds alone are not the critical factor leading to the client’s highest current risk.
• inactivity: The client is currently lethargic after surgery and under the effects of anesthesia, which reduces movement and activity. Inactivity can cause decreased lung expansion and increase the risk of pulmonary complications like pneumonia. Although this is a concern, inactivity is not the client's most critical immediate risk compared to thyroid storm.

A. Plan time at the end of the shift to document nursing interventions: Waiting until the end of the shift to document can lead to inaccuracies and missed details. It is more effective to document in real-time or immediately after providing care to ensure complete, accurate, and timely records, reducing errors and memory lapses.

B. Keep track of how long it takes to complete certain tasks: Monitoring how long tasks take helps the nurse better allocate time and identify where delays occur. This awareness allows for improved scheduling, more accurate prioritization, and realistic planning during the shift, leading to better time management.

C. Delegate collection of vital signs to the assistive personnel on the team: Delegating appropriate tasks, like vital signs collection, frees the nurse to focus on critical thinking, assessments, and interventions that require professional judgment. Proper delegation is an essential time-management strategy in providing efficient and safe client care.

D. Complete activities with one client before moving to another client: While thoroughness is important, it is not always efficient to rigidly finish all activities with one client before seeing others. Time-sensitive or urgent tasks with other clients may require interruptions, and flexibility is crucial for safe, effective care management.

E. Make a priority to do it at the beginning of the shift: Establishing priorities at the beginning of the shift ensures that essential and urgent needs are addressed promptly. Early planning helps organize tasks efficiently, reduces chaos during busy periods, and helps maintain focus throughout the shift.