A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is caring for a client who reports difficulty sleeping at night. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client has sleep deprivation?

A.Age alone is not a reliable or unique identifier. Many clients can share the same age, and this information does not sufficiently confirm an individual’s identity. Using age alone could lead to errors, as it lacks specificity.

B.Room numbers are not reliable for client identification because clients may be moved to different rooms or share rooms with others. Using a room number alone could easily lead to a medication error, as it does not confirm the client’s personal identity.

C.Using a photograph is an acceptable form of client identification, especially in settings where clients may not be able to verbally confirm their identity (e.g., clients with dementia). Photographs, when available, are typically included in the client’s medical records and can help ensure correct patient identification to prevent medication errors.

D.Bed numbers, similar to room numbers, are not unique to an individual and may change or be shared in multi-bed rooms. Relying on a bed number could result in giving medication to the wrong client, which is a significant risk to client safety.

After moving clients to a safe location, the next action the nurse should take is to pull the fire alarm. This will alert others in the building to the presence of a fire and activate the building's fire suppression systems.

Options a, c, and d are not the next actions the nurse should take. Using an extinguisher to put out the fire may be appropriate if the nurse has been trained to do so and if it is safe to do so. Closing the doors to client rooms can help to contain the spread of smoke and fire, but it is not the next action the nurse should take. Turning off electrical equipment in the room may help to prevent further ignition sources, but it is not the next action the nurse should take.