A nurse is monitoring a client who is 36 hr postoperative following gastric banding. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Rationale:

A. Wear a dosimeter film badge to measure exposure: A dosimeter badge tracks the cumulative radiation exposure for healthcare workers. It is essential for staff safety when caring for clients with internal radiation therapy.

B. Discard bed linens from the client's room at the end of each day: Linens should not be discarded unless contaminated. They are usually kept in the room until radiation is removed to avoid unnecessary exposure to other staff or areas.

C. Instruct visitors to remain 61 cm (2 feet) away from the client: Visitors should maintain a greater distance typically at least 6 feet (about 2 meters) and limit their visit time (usually to 30 minutes or less). Two feet is insufficient to minimize radiation exposure.

D. Place a caution sign on the client's door: Posting a radiation warning sign helps alert all personnel and visitors about radiation precautions, promoting safety and compliance with guidelines.

E. Don a lead apron when providing care: A lead apron protects the nurse from radiation exposure, especially when prolonged or close contact is necessary. It is a critical part of personal protective equipment in this setting.

Rationale:

A. Nurses notes are used to create the critical pathway: Critical pathways are developed from evidence-based clinical guidelines and best practices, not directly from nurses’ notes. While documentation may help track progress, it is not the foundation for pathway creation.

B. Critical pathways should reduce health care costs: Critical pathways standardize care for specific diagnoses, promoting timely interventions and reducing unnecessary treatments or delays. This efficiency helps lower healthcare costs while improving patient outcomes.

C. Critical pathways have an unlimited timeframe for completion: Each critical pathway includes a defined timeline with expected outcomes for each phase of care. This structure ensures care is efficient and progress is monitored closely to prevent delays or complications.

D. Nurses should discontinue the critical pathway if variances occur: Variances are deviations from the expected outcomes and are used to evaluate and adjust care. They do not justify discontinuing the entire pathway but rather indicate a need for reassessment or individualized modifications.