A nurse is inserting a short peripheral IV catheter for a client who requires IV fluids.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Incorrect. Obtaining capillary blood glucose level every 2 hr is appropriate for a client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus, but it does not address the ankle injury.
• B. Incorrect. Checking the neurovascular status of the client's lower extremities every hour is important for a client who has an ankle injury, but it does not require clarification with the provider.
• C. Correct. Applying a cold pack to the client's ankle for 30 min every hour can reduce swelling and inflammation, but it can also impair circulation and increase the risk of tissue damage in a client who has diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the nurse should clarify this prescription with the provider before implementing it.
• D. Incorrect. Maintaining the affected ankle elevated and immobilized can help prevent further injury and promote healing, but it does not require clarification with the provider.

The correct answer is Choice A.

Choice A rationale:

Forming a committee of staff members to investigate current staffing issues is the first step the nurse manager should take. This is because it is important to understand the root cause of the problem before implementing any changes. The committee can gather data, identify patterns, and provide insights into why staffing for weekend shifts is a challenge. This could involve surveying staff members, reviewing shift patterns, and analyzing workload and patient acuity data. By involving staff members in the process, the nurse manager can ensure that the perspectives and experiences of those directly affected by the staffing issues are taken into account. This approach aligns with the principles of shared governance and participatory management, which have been shown to improve staff satisfaction and retention.

Choice B rationale:

While providing support to staff members who are resistant to staffing changes is an important part of change management, it is not the first step that should be taken. Resistance to change is often a symptom of deeper issues, such as lack of trust, poor communication, or perceived lack of fairness or respect. By first forming a committee to investigate the staffing issues (Choice A), the nurse manager can gain a better understanding of these underlying issues and address them directly. This can help to reduce resistance when changes are implemented.

Choice C rationale:

Scheduling a staff meeting to present different options to staff members is a key part of the change process, but it should not be the first step. Before presenting options, it is important to fully understand the problem and consider various possible solutions. This involves investigating the current staffing issues (Choice A) and potentially developing and evaluating different scheduling options. Once this has been done, the options can be presented to staff members for feedback and discussion.

Choice D rationale:

Giving staff members advance written notice of staffing changes is a crucial part of transparent and respectful communication. However, it is not the first step in addressing staffing issues. Before any changes can be announced, the nurse manager needs to understand the problem (Choice A), consider possible solutions, and involve staff members in the decision-making process (Choice C). Once a decision has been made, it should be communicated clearly and promptly to all staff members.