A nurse is obtaining a client’s manual blood pressure and is having difficulty auscultating sounds.

Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

The correct answer is choice C. Administering potassium via IV bolus is an example of malpractice in nursing.

This is because potassium is a medication that can cause cardiac arrest if given too quickly or in high doses. A nurse who administers potassium via IV bolus is not providing the standard of care that a similarly trained nurse would have offered under the same circumstances.

This could result in harm or death to the patient.

Choice A is wrong because placing a yellow bracelet on a client who is at risk for falls is not malpractice, but rather a safety measure.

A yellow bracelet indicates that the client needs assistance with mobility and should not be left alone. This is a common practice in many health care facilities to prevent falls and injuries.

Choice B is wrong because leaving a nasogastric tube clamped after administering oral medication is not malpractice, but rather a mistake.

A nasogastric tube is a tube that goes through the nose and into the stomach to deliver nutrition or medication.

It should be unclamped after giving oral medication to allow the medication to enter the stomach and prevent reflux or aspiration. However, this error does not rise to the level of malpractice unless it causes harm to the patient, such as vomiting, choking, or infection.

Choice D is wrong because documenting communication with a provider in the progress notes of the client’s medical record is not malpractice, but rather a good practice. A nurse

• B: Heart rate 99/min. This is a finding that requires immediate follow-up because it is above the normal range for a 16-year-old client, which is 60 to 100 beats per minute. A high heart rate could indicate anxiety, stress, pain, infection or other conditions that need to be addressed.

• D: Client experiences nightmares. This is a finding that requires immediate follow-up because it could indicate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is a mental health condition that can develop after witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. PTSD can cause distressing symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, avoidance, negative mood and hyperarousal. PTSD can interfere with the client’s daily functioning and well-being and requires professional treatment.

• E: Witnessing their family’s death. This is a finding that requires immediate follow-up because it is the most likely cause of the client’s PTSD symptoms and emotional distress. Witnessing the death of one’s family members is a devastating and traumatic experience that can have lasting effects on the client’s mental health. The client may benefit from grief counseling, trauma-focused therapy, medication or other interventions to help them cope with their loss and trauma.

• H: Smoking marijuana to clear their mind. This is a finding that requires immediate follow-up because it indicates that the client is using an illicit substance to self-medicate their emotional pain. Smoking marijuana can have negative effects on the client’s physical and mental health, such as impairing their memory, cognition, judgment, coordination and motivation. It can also increase the risk of addiction, dependence and withdrawal symptoms. The client may need substance abuse counseling, education, referral or other services to help them quit smoking marijuana and find healthier ways to cope with their feelings.
The other findings do not require immediate follow-up for the following reasons:

• A: BP 122/80 mmHg. This is not a finding that requires immediate follow-up because it is within the normal range for a 16-year-old client, which is 110 to 120/70 to 80 mmHg. A normal blood pressure indicates that the client’s cardiovascular system is functioning well and there are no signs of hypertension or hypotension.

• C: Startles easy during thunderstorm. This is not a finding that requires immediate follow-up because it is a normal reaction to a loud noise or a frightening stimulus. The client admits that they have always been afraid of thunderstorms, which suggests that this is not a new or unusual behavior for them. However, the nurse may want to monitor the client’s anxiety level and provide reassurance and comfort during thunderstorms.

• F: Caregiver reporting client acting differently than usual. This is not a finding that requires immediate follow-up because it is a vague and subjective statement that does not specify how the client is acting differently or what changes have occurred in their behavior. The nurse may want to ask the caregiver for more details and examples of how the client has changed since the traumatic event and assess whether these changes are normal or concerning.

• G: Attends school regularly. This is not a finding that requires immediate follow-up because it indicates that the client is maintaining their academic performance and social interactions despite their trauma and grief. Attending school regularly can provide the client with a sense of routine, structure, support and achievement that can help them cope with their situation. However, the nurse may want to check with the client’s teachers and peers to see if they have noticed any changes in the client’s mood, behavior or participation at school.