A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is anxious about their mastectomy scheduled in 2 hr. Which of the following complementary therapies should the nurse recommend to the client?

A. Read the medication label twice prior to administration: Best practice requires reading the label three times (when retrieving, preparing, and before administering), so reading it only twice is insufficient for safety.

B. Ask the client if they have ever taken a similar medication: While helpful, this does not replace the need for the nurse to verify the medication's action, side effects, and interactions independently.

C. Use one patient identifier prior to medication administration: Safe practice requires using two patient identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth), so using only one is inadequate and unsafe.

D. Access the online drug formulary for an unfamiliar medication: This ensures the nurse understands the medication's purpose, dosage, side effects, and contraindications, which is critical for safe first-time administration.

A. Double-bag the linens: Double-bagging is no longer a standard requirement unless the outside of the primary bag is visibly soiled or the bag is punctured. Modern infection control guidelines focus on the integrity of a single, sturdy, leak-proof bag to reduce waste and cost.

B. Rinse the linens prior to removing them from the client's room: Rinsing the linens is not required when removing soiled linens. The main concern is preventing contamination, and double-bagging ensures that the linens are safely contained.

C. Tie the linens' bag securely at the top: The primary goal of isolation protocol is to contain the pathogen within the designated "dirty" area. By tying the bag securely, the nurse ensures that no contaminated fluid or air is released as the bag is moved through the hallways of the facility. Standard practice requires placing linens in a leak-proof laundry bag labeled for biohazardous or contaminated materials.

D. Wear sterile gloves when handling the linens: Sterile gloves are not necessary for handling soiled linens in contact precautions. Clean gloves are sufficient to handle linens. Sterile gloves are typically used for invasive procedures, not for routine linen handling.