A nurse is providing an in-service to a group of newly licensed nurses on standards of practice and the role of the Board of Nursing (BON). Which of the following information should the nurse include?

Choice A rationale:

The nurse should not inform the client of the need to pre-pay for the consent of authorization. Precertification for surgery is related to obtaining approval from the client's insurance provider and not about pre-payment.

Choice B rationale:

Contacting the client's insurance carrier to obtain authorization is the correct action to take when obtaining precertification for surgery. Many insurance companies require pre-authorization for surgical procedures to ensure coverage and to confirm that the procedure is medically necessary. This step is essential to prevent financial burdens on the client and ensure they have coverage for the surgery.

Choice C rationale:

Notifying the provider to obtain approval for the surgery is not the nurse's responsibility in the context of precertification. The primary responsibility lies with obtaining approval from the client's insurance carrier.

Choice D rationale:

Witnessing the client sign the surgical consent form is an essential step in the surgical preparation process but is not the same as obtaining precertification. Precertification involves confirming insurance coverage and approval for the surgery, which is the responsibility of the insurance carrier, not the client's consent.

Atrial fibrillation with a rapid heart rate can lead to decreased cardiac output and compromised blood flow, which can have serious consequences, including stroke and heart failure. Therefore, this client requires immediate attention to assess and manage the cardiac rhythm.

While the other clients also have significant health concerns, they are not as acutely life-threatening as a new onset of atrial fibrillation with a high heart rate. Prioritizing care based on the urgency and severity of the condition is crucial in the emergency department setting.