A nurse is using an IV pump for a newly admitted client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Rationale:

A. "I don't think you will benefit from reviewing your therapist's notes right now.": This statement dismisses the client’s request without addressing legal and policy guidelines regarding access to records. It also inappropriately assumes the client’s capacity to benefit from the information.

B. "Are you not happy with your treatment?": This redirects the conversation away from the request and implies dissatisfaction, which can create defensiveness. It does not provide the client with accurate information about their right to access medical records.

C. "Why are you interested in seeing your therapist's notes?": Asking “why” can sound confrontational and does not answer the client’s question. The focus should be on explaining what parts of the record can be shared, according to policy and law.

D. "We can provide a copy of your records, but the therapist's notes are not included.": Psychotherapy notes are excluded from standard medical record disclosures under HIPAA, as they are kept separate to protect sensitive details.

Rationale for correct choices:

• Endoscopy: The client presents with a history of gnawing epigastric pain, one episode of dark, tarry stool, hypotension, tachycardia, and significant anemia. These findings suggest possible upper gastrointestinal bleeding or peptic ulcer disease. Endoscopy is the definitive diagnostic procedure to identify the source of bleeding and assess ulcer severity.
• Stool test results: The positive hemoccult (tarry stool) indicates gastrointestinal bleeding. This abnormal finding provides objective evidence that warrants further diagnostic evaluation through endoscopy to prevent further blood loss and complications.

Rationale for incorrect choices:

• Antibiotic prescription: While H. pylori infection can require antibiotics, this client’s immediate concern is gastrointestinal bleeding, not infection control. Antibiotics would not address the urgent need to identify and manage the bleeding source.
• Proton pump inhibitor therapy: Proton pump inhibitors help reduce gastric acid and promote ulcer healing, but initiating therapy alone does not evaluate or stop potential active bleeding. Endoscopy is needed first for diagnostic and possible therapeutic intervention.
• Hypotension: Although hypotension is present, it is a clinical sign of potential blood loss rather than a direct diagnostic criterion. It supports the urgency for endoscopy but is not the primary evidence for the procedure.
• Positive H. pylori test: While H. pylori infection contributes to ulcer formation, the acute presentation of bleeding evidenced by positive hemoccult stool makes the stool test a more immediate indicator for endoscopy.