A nurse is preparing to administer a nasogastric (NG) tube feeding to a school-age child. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

A. Allow the client's partner to translate: Family members should not serve as interpreters due to concerns about accuracy, confidentiality, and potential bias in sensitive health information.

B. Ask a nursing student who speaks the same language as the client to translate: Using untrained personnel, including students, is discouraged because they may lack professional interpreting skills and could miscommunicate critical health information.

C. Have the client's child translate: Children are not appropriate interpreters due to their limited language skills, emotional immaturity, and potential to misinterpret medical information.

D. Request a female interpreter through the facility: A professional medical interpreter ensures accurate, confidential communication, respects cultural and gender preferences, and is the safest approach for gathering admission data, particularly regarding sensitive postpartum issues.

Rationale for correct choices:

• Blood pressure: The client’s blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg, indicating hypotension. This can signal volume depletion or active bleeding, which requires immediate assessment and intervention to prevent shock or organ hypoperfusion.
• Hemoglobin and hematocrit: Hemoglobin of 9.1 g/dL and hematocrit of 27% indicate significant anemia, likely from gastrointestinal blood loss. Immediate follow-up is necessary to determine the source and provide interventions such as fluid resuscitation or transfusion.
• Heart rate: The client’s heart rate is 118/min, demonstrating tachycardia. This may be compensatory for hypotension or blood loss, suggesting hemodynamic instability and requiring prompt monitoring and intervention.
• Stool results: Positive hemoccult indicates gastrointestinal bleeding, which aligns with anemia and tachycardia. Identifying and managing the bleeding source is a priority to prevent further complications.
• Current medication: The client takes high-dose ibuprofen (800 mg three times daily), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs increase the risk for peptic ulcer disease and gastrointestinal bleeding, contributing to the client’s current presentation and requiring immediate provider notification.

Rationale for incorrect choices:

• Temperature: The client’s temperature is 37.5° C (99.5° F), slightly elevated but not indicative of infection or immediate risk. Monitoring is appropriate but not urgent.
• WBC count: WBC is 6,700/mm³, within normal limits, indicating no current infection or acute inflammatory response. This does not require immediate follow-up.
• Respiratory rate: Respiratory rate is 18/min, within normal limits for an adult, and does not indicate acute respiratory distress. Immediate intervention is not necessary.