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. The client tells the nurse he prefers a snack before bedtime: Client food preferences can usually be accommodated by nursing and dietary staff without needing interprofessional team intervention unless related to special dietary restrictions.

B. The client requires reinforcement of teaching about the purpose of his medications: Medication education reinforcement is a routine nursing responsibility and typically does not require escalation to the entire interprofessional team unless there are significant comprehension issues.

C. The client is unable to grasp eating utensils: Difficulty grasping utensils suggests significant motor deficits following the stroke. This functional limitation requires input from occupational therapy, physical therapy, and possibly speech therapy to assess needs for adaptive devices and rehabilitation strategies.

D. The client requests to perform ADLs later in the day: Adjusting the timing of ADLs is a minor scheduling preference and does not necessarily require interprofessional reporting unless it impacts therapy schedules or rehabilitation goals.

A. Take vital signs on clients as they are admitted: Taking vital signs is within the scope of practice for assistive personnel (AP) and is an essential task during a mass casualty event. It provides critical baseline information that the licensed staff can use to prioritize care and identify urgent needs.

B. Respond to family members about a client's condition: Communicating about a client's medical condition requires clinical judgment and is the responsibility of licensed nursing staff or healthcare providers. APs are not trained or authorized to give out clinical information to family members.

C. Clean and dress client abdominal wounds: Wound care, especially for open or surgical wounds like those on the abdomen, involves assessment and sterile technique, which must be performed by licensed personnel, not assistive personnel.

D. Determine which clients should be seen first: Determining client priority, also known as triage, requires nursing knowledge, critical thinking, and clinical assessment skills. It is a responsibility that falls to licensed nurses, not assistive personnel.