A nurse is planning care for a client who is disoriented and has a history of wandering. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan?

Choice A reason: This response is inappropriate because it violates the client's right to privacy and confidentiality. The nurse should not disclose any information about the client to anyone without the client's consent, unless it is required by law or for the client's safety.

Choice B reason: This response is inappropriate because it shows a lack of accountability and professionalism. The nurse should not dismiss the visitor's concern or pass the responsibility to another nurse. The nurse should either provide the information if they have it or direct the visitor to the appropriate source.

Choice C reason: This response is appropriate because it respects the client's privacy and confidentiality, while also addressing the visitor's concern. The nurse should inform the visitor that they will contact the nurse who is taking care of the client and ask them to come and talk with the visitor.

Choice D reason: This response is inappropriate because it violates the client's privacy and confidentiality. The nurse should not access the client's medical record without a valid reason or the client's consent. The nurse should only check the medical record if they are involved in the client's care or have a need to know the information.

The correct answer is: d.

Choice A reason: An allergy to penicillin requiring an alternative antibiotic to be prescribed is a common and expected variation in care. Allergies are patient-specific factors that must be accommodated within the care pathway. The need for an alternative antibiotic does not typically constitute a variance that requires reporting, as adjustments for allergies are part of personalized care planning.

Choice B reason: Initiating antibiotic therapy 2 hours after implementation of the care pathway may not require a variance report if it falls within the acceptable time frame for antibiotic administration. The timing of antibiotic therapy can be critical, but slight deviations are often accounted for within the care pathway guidelines. However, if the care pathway specifies a narrower time frame for initiation, then this could be a reportable variance.

Choice C reason: Changing the route of antibiotic therapy from IV to PO (oral) is a clinical decision that may be based on the patient's condition, progress, and ability to tolerate oral medications. This switch is a part of antimicrobial stewardship and is often encouraged when clinically appropriate to reduce IV line use and potential complications. It is a standard practice and does not typically require a variance report unless the change contradicts a specific protocol in the care pathway.

Choice D reason: Obtaining a blood culture after the initiation of antibiotic therapy is a significant variance from the standard care pathway. Blood cultures should be obtained before starting antibiotics to accurately identify the causative organisms and their antibiotic sensitivities. Starting antibiotics before obtaining blood cultures can reduce the likelihood of growing the bacteria in the culture, potentially leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. This is a deviation from the standard of care that requires a variance report.