A nurse is providing discharge teaching about home care of a surgical incision to a client who speaks a different language from the nurse.
The nurse is communicating with the client using an interpreter. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

This client should be assessed first because they are at risk of hypoglycemia, which is a medical emergency that can cause seizures, coma, or death if not treated promptly.
The nurse should check the client’s blood glucose level again and provide additional carbohydrates or glucose if needed.
Choice A is wrong because a client who is scheduled for a procedure in 1 hr is not in immediate danger and can be assessed later.
The nurse should verify the client’s consent, allergies, and vital signs before the procedure, but this is not a priority over a client with low blood glucose.
Choice B is wrong because a client who received pain medication 30 min ago for postoperative pain is likely to have improved pain relief and does not need immediate assessment.
The nurse should monitor the client’s pain level, vital signs, and respiratory status periodically, but this is not a priority over a client with low blood glucose.
Choice D is wrong because a client who has 100 mL of fluid remaining in his IV bag is not in immediate danger and can be assessed later.
The nurse should change the IV bag when it is empty or nearly empty, but this is not a priority over a client with low blood glucose.
Normal blood glucose levels are between 70 to 100 mg/dL (3.9 to 5.5 mmol/L) when fasting, and less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) two hours after eating. A blood glucose level below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) is considered hypoglycemia and requires immediate treatment. Orange juice is a source of simple carbohydrates that can raise blood glucose quickly, but it may not be enough to prevent hypoglycemia in some cases.

Answer is…

The following provider prescriptions are anticipated or contraindicated for the client:.

• Insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Anticipated. This prescription is anticipated because the client may have oliguria or anuria due to dehydration, hypovolemia, or renal impairment caused by pancreatitis. A urinary catheter can help monitor the urine output and fluid status of the client.
• Insert a nasogastric tube and maintain low intermittent suction. Anticipated. This prescription is anticipated because the client may have nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension due to pancreatitis. A nasogastric tube can help decompress the stomach, reduce pancreatic stimulation, and prevent aspiration.
• Administer lactated Ringer’s 1 L via IV bolus. Anticipated. This prescription is anticipated because the client may have hypovolemia, hypotension, and electrolyte imbalances due to pancreatitis. Lactated Ringer’s solution can help restore fluid and electrolyte balance, improve tissue perfusion, and prevent shock.
• Administer famotidine 20 mg via intermittent IV infusion twice daily. Anticipated. This prescription is anticipated because the client may have gastric hypersecretion and peptic ulcer disease due to pancreatitis. Famotidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist that can help reduce gastric acid production, protect the gastric mucosa, and promote healing of ulcers.