A nurse is providing teaching to an older adult client who has a seizure disorder and a new prescription for phenytoin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

The correct answers are B and C.

Choice A Reason: Transferring a client who is receiving radiation therapy involves understanding the precautions and care associated with radiation, which may be beyond the training of assistive personnel (AP). Radiation therapy clients may have specific safety and transport protocols that require the expertise of licensed nursing staff.

Choice B Reason: Measuring vital signs for a client who requires contact precautions is a task that can be delegated to AP. Assistive personnel can be trained in infection control procedures and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), making them capable of measuring vital signs while adhering to contact precautions.

Choice C Reason: Recording urine output for a client who has a suprapubic catheter can be delegated to AP. This task involves measuring and documenting a quantifiable data point, which does not require the clinical judgment of a nurse. AP can be trained to accurately measure and record urine output.

Choice D Reason: Planning care for a client who has dysphagia is a complex task that involves assessment and clinical judgment, which are responsibilities of the licensed nurse. Dysphagia can have serious complications, and care plans must be tailored to each client’s needs, requiring the expertise of a nurse.

Choice A reason

Setting the IV infusion pump to administer the blood over 6 hours is not the recommended rate for administering packed RBCs. Blood transfusions are typically given more rapidly, usually within 2 to 4 hours. The specific rate may vary depending on the client's condition and the provider's order.

Choice B reason

Administering the blood via a 21-gauge IV needle is not typically related to the administration of the packed RBCs. The appropriate gauge of the IV needle for blood transfusions depends on the client's condition and the type of transfusion. Larger-gauge needles are often used for blood transfusions to allow for a faster flow rate and prevent haemolysis of the blood cells.

Choice C reason

Checking the client's vital signs from the previous shift prior to the initiation of the transfusion is not sufficient for ensuring the client's safety during the blood transfusion. The nurse should assess the client's current vital signs, including temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate, before initiating the transfusion. Monitoring vital signs is essential during the transfusion to detect any adverse reactions or changes in the client's condition.

Choice D reason

Rush the blood administration tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride prior to the transfusion is the correct answer. When preparing to administer a blood transfusion to an adult client with chronic anaemia, the nurse should rush the blood administration tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) prior to the transfusion. This process is called priming the tubing.

Priming the tubing helps remove any residual air from the tubing and ensures that the blood transfusion is administered smoothly without introducing air into the client's bloodstream. Air embolisms can be a serious complication, and priming the tubing with normal saline helps prevent this risk.