A nurse is scheduling a client for surgery.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take to obtain precertification for the client to have surgery?

Atrial fibrillation with a rapid heart rate can lead to decreased cardiac output and compromised blood flow, which can have serious consequences, including stroke and heart failure. Therefore, this client requires immediate attention to assess and manage the cardiac rhythm.

While the other clients also have significant health concerns, they are not as acutely life-threatening as a new onset of atrial fibrillation with a high heart rate. Prioritizing care based on the urgency and severity of the condition is crucial in the emergency department setting.

Choice A rationale:

Charting by exception (CBE) is a documentation method in which the nurse documents only unexpected findings or significant deviations from the client's normal condition. It is based on the assumption that the client's baseline status remains within the expected range, and deviations from this norm are documented. CBE is efficient and allows nurses to focus on relevant and critical information, reducing unnecessary documentation. It is particularly useful in clinical settings where frequent assessments are needed.

Choice B rationale:

Focus charting (DAR) is another method of documenting client care that emphasizes a structured approach to documentation, with a focus on data, action, and response (DAR). While it provides a systematic way to document care, it does not necessarily limit documentation to only unexpected findings. Focus charting encourages documentation of care in a problem-oriented manner, which may include expected or routine assessments.

Choice C rationale:

Problem-oriented medical record (POMR) is a documentation system that focuses on organizing client information around specific healthcare problems or diagnoses. It encourages a problem-solving approach to care and promotes the inclusion of a comprehensive client history and care plan. POMR documentation may involve both expected and unexpected findings, so it does not limit documentation to only unexpected findings.

Choice D rationale:

SOAP documentation stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan. It is a structured method of documenting healthcare encounters. SOAP notes include a wide range of information, including both subjective (patient's description of symptoms) and objective (clinician's observations) data. While SOAP notes are organized, they do not specifically limit documentation to only unexpected findings.