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?

Choice A reason:

Explaining the procedure to the client before verifying informed consent is not an appropriate action: While it is essential to explain the procedure to the client and ensure they have a clear understanding of what they are consenting to, this step typically occurs before the informed consent form is presented. The purpose of the informed consent form is to document that the client has received adequate information and has given their consent voluntarily

Choice B reason:

Confirming the client's signature is authentic is the correct action. Verifying the record of informed consent for a client scheduled for surgery involves several important steps. Of these, the nurse's primary responsibility is to ensure that the client's signature on the informed consent form is authentic. This means ensuring that the client themselves or their authorized representative has signed the form willingly and without coercion.

Choice C reason:

Providing information on the informed consent form about the benefits of the surgery is not an appropriate action: The informed consent form typically contains information about the procedure, its risks, possible complications, and alternatives, but it is not the nurse's responsibility to provide this information. The healthcare provider or surgeon is responsible for explaining the details of the surgery to the client before obtaining their consent.

Choice D reason:

Informing the client about the condition that requires treatment is not an appropriate action: The responsibility of informing the client about their medical condition, the need for treatment, and the available options lies with the healthcare provider or surgeon, not the nurse. The nurse may assist in providing information or answering questions, but the primary responsibility for discussing the medical condition lies with the provider.

The correct answer is choice C, frequent swallowing.

This indicates that the child may be experiencing hemorrhage because they are trying to clear the blood from their throat. Frequent swallowing is one of the initial signs of bleeding immediately after tonsillectomy.

Choice A is wrong because elevated pain level is not a specific sign of hemorrhage.

Pain is expected after a tonsillectomy and can be managed with medication and fluids.

Choice B is wrong because increased drowsiness is not a specific sign of hemorrhage.

Drowsiness can be caused by anesthesia, medication, or dehydration.

Choice D is wrong because diminished breath sounds are not a specific sign of hemorrhage.

Diminished breath sounds can be caused by respiratory infection, asthma, or bronchospasm.

Normal ranges for hemoglobin and hematocrit are 11.5 to 15.5 g/dL and 34 to 45% for children, respectively.

Normal ranges for platelet count are 150,000 to 450,000/mm3 for both children and adults.

Normal ranges for plasma clotting variables depend on the specific test and method used.