A nurse is providing a change-of-shift report for a client. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the report?

Determine the acuity and number of casualties arriving at the facility

During a mass casualty event, the nurse working on a medical-surgical unit can anticipate being assigned the task of determining the acuity and number of casualties arriving at the healthcare facility. This involves assessing the severity of injuries and prioritizing care based on the level of urgency. The nurse will be responsible for triaging and assigning appropriate resources to each patient based on their condition.

Provide informational updates to members of the media. In (option A) is incorrect. While communication and coordination with the media may be necessary during a mass casualty event, this is typically handled by designated spokespersons or hospital administration. Nurses are primarily focused on providing direct patient care and managing the influx of patients.

Assist in discharging stable clients to home in (option C) is incorrect. During a mass casualty event, the focus is on providing care to the injured and managing the influx of casualties. Discharging stable clients to home would not be a priority task during such an event.

Delegate tasks to emergency healthcare specialists in (option D) is incorrect. Nurses may collaborate with emergency healthcare specialists during a mass casualty event, but they usually take on leadership roles in coordinating and providing direct care. Nurses are responsible for assigning tasks and coordinating the efforts of the healthcare team, including specialists, to ensure effective care delivery.

Giving change -of-shift report to a nurse outside the client’s room

Protecting client confidentiality is an essential aspect of providing healthcare. Confidentiality ensures that sensitive client information remains private and is not disclosed to unauthorized individuals.

Giving change-of-shift report to a nurse outside the client's room: This is an appropriate action as long as the nurse ensures that the conversation occurs in a private and secure location where unauthorized individuals cannot overhear the discussion. This protects the client's confidentiality while allowing for effective communication and continuity of care.

Discarding worksheets containing client information in a wastebasket in (option A) is not an appropriate action, as discarding worksheets containing client information in a wastebasket can expose the information to unauthorized individuals. Instead, the nurse should follow proper procedures for the disposal of confidential information, such as shredding or using secure disposal methods.

Writing a client's diagnosis on the message board in the client's room in (option B) is not an appropriate action, as it can compromise the client's privacy. The nurse should avoid posting or displaying any client- specific information in public areas where it can be accessed by unauthorized individuals. Confidential information should be shared only on a need-to-know basis with healthcare professionals involved in the client's care.

Discussing a client's prognosis with assistive personnel who is caring for the client in (option D) is not an appropriate action, as discussing a client's prognosis with unauthorized individuals breaches the client's confidentiality. Prognosis and sensitive medical information should be discussed only among healthcare professionals directly involved in the client's care and on a need-to-know basis.