A nurse on a telemetry unit is assisting with the plan of care for a client who has pulmonary edema. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

A) Send the client for the test with the unsigned form:

This option is not appropriate because performing an invasive procedure without obtaining informed consent from the client violates ethical and legal principles. Proceeding without proper consent could lead to legal and ethical repercussions, and it is not considered a safe or acceptable practice.

B) Wake the client and ask them to sign the form:

Waking the client who has received a sedative to obtain their signature on the consent form is not advisable. The client may still be under the influence of the sedative, which could impair their ability to understand the information provided and make an informed decision. Additionally, obtaining consent in this manner may not be legally valid and could compromise the client's autonomy and rights.

C) Obtain consent from a family member:

While obtaining consent from a family member might seem like a reasonable option, it is not appropriate in this scenario without clear documentation of the client's inability to provide consent. Consent for medical procedures should ideally be obtained directly from the competent adult client unless they are incapacitated or unable to make decisions. In this case, the client is asleep due to the sedative, but there is no indication that they are incapable of providing consent. Therefore, relying on a family member's consent without attempting to obtain it from the client first may not be ethically or legally justified.

D) Inform the charge nurse:

This is the most appropriate action to take initially. Informing the charge nurse allows for consultation and guidance on how to proceed in this situation. The charge nurse may advise on the appropriate steps to follow, such as contacting the provider or waiting for the client to regain consciousness to obtain informed consent. It ensures that the situation is addressed promptly and in accordance with institutional policies and ethical standards.

A) The client rates her pain at a 3 on a 0 to 10 pain rating scale:

In the SBAR communication technique, "A" stands for "Assessment." This portion of the report should include concise and pertinent information about the client's current condition or status. The client's pain level, rated on a standardized pain scale, is a crucial assessment parameter that provides immediate insight into the client's comfort and potential need for intervention or further assessment.

B) The client has type 2 diabetes mellitus:

While the client's medical history of type 2 diabetes mellitus is important information, it is more relevant to the client's overall health status and background. In the SBAR framework, this information would typically be included in the "B" (Background) portion of the report, which focuses on contextual information such as medical history, current diagnoses, and relevant background information about the client.

C) The client is 2 hours postoperative following a cholecystectomy:

The fact that the client is 2 hours postoperative following a cholecystectomy is significant information regarding the client's recent surgical procedure and immediate postoperative status. However, this information falls under the "B" (Background) portion of the SBAR report, which includes details about the client's recent events, procedures, or treatments.

D) The client should wear compression stockings:

Information about the client's prescribed interventions or treatments, such as wearing compression stockings, is essential for continuity of care and ensuring that appropriate interventions are continued. However, this information is typically included in the "R" (Recommendation) portion of the SBAR report, where the nurse may provide recommendations for ongoing care or interventions based on the client's current condition and needs.