A nurse is providing care for a patient who has a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection, which was cultured from the urine. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take?

Rationale for Choice A:
Documenting and continuing to monitor is a crucial aspect of nursing care; however, in this scenario, it would not be the first action to take. The significant drop in blood pressure warrants immediate intervention to prevent potential complications.
While monitoring is essential, it does not actively address the underlying cause of the hypotension. Relying solely on monitoring could delay necessary interventions and potentially compromise patient safety.
It's important to balance monitoring with timely interventions to ensure optimal patient outcomes. In this case, calling for assistance takes priority over documentation and continued monitoring.
Rationale for Choice B:
Repeating the blood pressure in 15 minutes could delay critical interventions if the hypotension is severe. Timely action is crucial to maintain adequate tissue perfusion and prevent organ damage.
Waiting to recheck the blood pressure could potentially worsen the patient's condition and lead to adverse outcomes. It's essential to act promptly when a significant change in vital signs occurs.
Rationale for Choice D:
While notifying the primary healthcare provider is an important step, it may not be the most immediate action in this situation. The Rapid Response Team is specifically trained to handle acute patient deterioration and can provide timely interventions.
The Rapid Response Team can initiate life-saving measures, such as administering fluids or medications, while the primary healthcare provider is being notified. This ensures that the patient receives prompt and appropriate care.
Rationale for Choice C:
Calling the Rapid Response Team is the most appropriate first action in this scenario because it ensures a rapid and coordinated response to the patient's hypotension.
The Rapid Response Team can quickly assess the patient, initiate interventions, and potentially prevent further complications. They can also facilitate communication and collaboration among healthcare providers.
Early activation of the Rapid Response Team has been shown to improve patient outcomes in various clinical settings, including postoperative care.

Choice A rationale:
While adequate hydration is important for overall health and urinary function, it does not directly address the priority nursing diagnosis of urinary incontinence. Increased fluid intake without addressing the underlying incontinence can actually exacerbate the problem by increasing urine output.
It's crucial to assess for signs of urinary retention or incomplete bladder emptying, as excessive fluid intake can worsen these conditions.
Individualized fluid intake goals should be established based on the client's overall health status, bladder capacity, and fluid balance.
Choice B rationale:
Satisfaction with incontinence products can improve comfort and quality of life, but it does not necessarily indicate that the underlying issue of incontinence has been resolved.
It's important to evaluate the effectiveness of incontinence products in managing leakage and preventing skin breakdown, but they should not be considered a definitive solution for incontinence.
Explore other interventions to address the root cause of incontinence, such as bladder training, pelvic floor muscle exercises, or medications.
Choice C rationale:
Increased activity and socialization can be positive outcomes of effective incontinence management, but they are not direct measures of the priority nursing diagnosis.
Improved social engagement and activity levels might reflect a reduction in incontinence episodes and increased confidence, but they should not be the sole indicators of success.
Assess for specific changes in incontinence frequency, severity, and impact on daily life to more accurately gauge progress.
Choice D rationale:
Intact, healthy skin in the perineal area is a direct and objective indicator that a priority nursing diagnosis of urinary incontinence has been met.
It demonstrates that the interventions implemented to manage incontinence have been effective in preventing skin breakdown and irritation, which are common complications of incontinence.
This finding aligns with the goal of maintaining skin integrity and preventing infection, which are essential aspects of incontinence care.