A nurse is preparing to perform an abdominal examination for a client who has a gastrointestinal disease. Identify the order in which the nurse should use the examination techniques. (Move the steps into the box on the right, placing them in the order of performance. Use all the steps.)

Rationale:

A. Withhold the medication until the provider signs the prescription: Waiting for the provider's signature before administering a telephone order may delay critical care. Verbal or telephone orders can be acted upon immediately if clearly understood, documented, and later signed by the provider within the facility’s required timeframe.

B. Record the date and time of the telephone prescription: Accurate documentation includes noting the date and time the telephone order was received. This ensures clarity, legal compliance, and proper sequencing of medical events in the client's record.

C. Request that the provider confirm the read-back of the prescription: A read-back process reduces the risk of medication errors by confirming that the nurse correctly heard and understood the provider’s order. It is a Joint Commission-recommended safety practice.

D. Ask the provider to spell out the name of the medication: Asking the provider to spell out high-risk or sound-alike medications helps avoid transcription errors. This step is especially important when communication clarity is compromised over the phone.

E. Instruct another nurse to record the prescription in the medical record: The nurse receiving the order is responsible for documenting it. Delegating this task to another nurse increases the chance of miscommunication and errors, and violates proper protocol.

Rationale:

A. Shortness of breath when climbing stairs: Mild dyspnea is common in the third trimester due to the upward displacement of the diaphragm by the enlarging uterus. This is typically not a concerning sign unless it occurs at rest or is accompanied by other symptoms like chest pain.

B. Periodic numbness of the fingers: Numbness or tingling in the hands and fingers during pregnancy can be caused by carpal tunnel syndrome due to fluid retention. While uncomfortable, it is a benign and relatively common symptom that usually resolves postpartum.

C. Leukorrhea: Leukorrhea, or increased vaginal discharge, is a normal finding in late pregnancy. It helps prevent ascending infections and is only concerning if it becomes foul-smelling, itchy, or changes in color, which could indicate infection.

D. Blurred vision: Blurred vision during the third trimester can be a sign of pregnancy-induced hypertension or preeclampsia. It may indicate cerebral involvement or elevated blood pressure and requires immediate evaluation by the healthcare provider.