A nurse is providing dietary teaching to a client who has a new diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome.
Which of the following recommendations should the nurse include?

Choice A rationale:

Requesting a provider to evaluate the client in person every 36 hours might be necessary in certain situations but is not directly related to the management of a client in seclusion and restraints. It does not ensure the immediate safety and well-being of the client in this scenario.

Choice B rationale:

Documenting the client's behavior every 15 minutes is essential when a client is in seclusion and restraints. Regular and detailed documentation is crucial to monitor the client's response to the intervention, ensuring their safety, and providing necessary information for the healthcare team.

Choice C rationale:

Ensuring that the prescription for restraints be renewed every 6 hours is important to prevent unnecessary or prolonged use of restraints, but it doesn't address the immediate need for monitoring the client in seclusion and restraints.

Choice D rationale:

Monitoring the client every 30 minutes while restrained might not provide timely information, especially if the client's condition deteriorates rapidly. More frequent monitoring, such as every 15 minutes, allows for closer observation and quicker response to any changes in the client's status.

The correct answer is D. Use a solution of 0.9% sodium chloride to flush the transfusion tubing.

Choice A reason: Storing a unit of blood at room temperature for 1 hour prior to the infusion is not recommended. Blood products should be kept refrigerated until just before the transfusion to minimize the risk of bacterial contamination. The recommended storage temperature for packed RBCs is 1-6°C. If blood is left at room temperature, it should be infused within 30 minutes to ensure safety.

Choice B reason: Ensuring that the transfusion is completed within 6 hours is not correct. The standard practice is to complete a blood transfusion over 2 to 4 hours, depending on the volume and the patient’s condition. This is to reduce the risk of bacterial growth and transfusion reactions. Prolonging the transfusion time beyond 4 hours increases the risk of bacterial contamination and can compromise the efficacy of the transfused red blood cells.

Choice C reason: Obtaining venous access using a 22-gauge needle is not ideal for a transfusion of packed RBCs. A larger bore needle, typically an 18-gauge or 20-gauge, is preferred to ensure adequate flow of the viscous packed RBCs and to prevent hemolysis. The smaller the gauge number, the larger the needle diameter, so a 22-gauge needle might be too small and could damage the red blood cells during the transfusion.

Choice D reason: Using a solution of 0.9% sodium chloride to flush the transfusion tubing is the correct action. Normal saline is isotonic and is the only fluid compatible with packed RBCs. It is used to prime the transfusion set and to flush the line before and after the transfusion to prevent hemolysis and clotting within the tubing.