A nurse is reinforcing teaching for a client who has been receiving a PCA pump following a hysterectomy. Which of the following medications should the nurse anticipate the provider to prescribe?

A. Place the client in a room near the nurses' station: Clients with quadriplegia are at high risk for complications such as respiratory difficulties, pressure injuries, and autonomic dysreflexia. Placing them near the nurses’ station allows for closer monitoring and quicker response to any urgent needs.

B. Check on the client every 4 hr: Clients with quadriplegia require more frequent monitoring than every 4 hours. Regular repositioning, skin assessments, and prompt attention to needs must occur at much shorter intervals to prevent complications.

C. Place the call light within the client's reach: A client with quadriplegia typically has limited or no use of their upper extremities. Therefore, they would be unable to effectively use a standard call light and would need alternative methods, such as a specialized call device.

D. Place the client's glasses on the bedside table: If the client is unable to move their arms due to quadriplegia, placing glasses on the bedside table would not be useful. Necessary personal items should be made accessible through assistance or adaptive equipment.

A. Encourage visits from family members: While family presence can help reduce anxiety and reorient clients with delirium, it is not the immediate first step. Before implementing supportive strategies, the nurse must first assess the client’s neurological status to determine the severity and possible cause of the delirium.

B. Administer an anxiolytic medication: Administering medications should not be the first action because delirium can be caused by multiple reversible factors. Sedating a client without identifying the underlying cause may worsen confusion or mask important symptoms that need immediate intervention.

C. Determine the client's level of consciousness: Assessing the client’s level of consciousness is the priority because it provides critical information about the severity of the delirium and helps guide immediate and appropriate interventions. Early assessment ensures that life-threatening conditions, such as hypoxia or sepsis, are not overlooked.

D. Keep lights on in the client's room: Maintaining a well-lit environment can help prevent disorientation, especially at night, but it is a secondary supportive measure. Assessment of mental status must occur first to prioritize safety and identify urgent medical needs.