A nurse preparing incoming storm. Which of the following clients should the nurse recommend for discharge planning?

A) "Draw up the insulin lispro and insulin glargine in separate syringes.":
Insulin lispro (a rapid-acting insulin) and insulin glargine (a long-acting insulin) should be administered separately, as they have different properties and mechanisms of action. Mixing them in one syringe can affect their effectiveness and may cause inaccurate dosing. Therefore, the nurse should instruct the client to draw up each insulin in a separate syringe to ensure proper administration and action of both insulins.

B) "Take an extra dose of insulin lispro prior to aerobic exercise.":
Taking an extra dose of insulin lispro before exercise is not recommended unless directed by a healthcare provider. Exercise can lower blood glucose levels, and additional insulin may increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Instead, clients with diabetes are typically advised to monitor their blood glucose levels before and after exercise and adjust their insulin dose or carbohydrate intake accordingly, under the guidance of their healthcare provider.

C) "Expect insulin glargine to be cloudy.":
Insulin glargine is a clear, long-acting insulin. It should not be cloudy. If the insulin appears cloudy, it may be a sign that the insulin has been improperly stored or is no longer effective. The nurse should educate the client to inspect the insulin for cloudiness or particles and to discard any insulin that appears abnormal.

D) "Anticipate that the insulin glargine will peak in 3 hours.":
Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin that does not have a pronounced peak. It provides a steady release of insulin over 24 hours and helps to maintain baseline insulin levels. It is not meant to peak like rapid-acting or short-acting insulins. Therefore, this instruction is incorrect, as insulin glargine does not follow the same peak-action pattern as other insulins.

A) *The client's partner visited earlier today for 2 hours: While this information is helpful for the personal context of the client, it is not essential to the clinical care of the client or a critical part of the handoff. The change-of-shift report should focus on relevant clinical information that affects ongoing care, such as treatment responses, medications, or changes in condition.

B) "The client reports pain is reduced when he is positioned on his side": This is important clinical information that should be included in the report. It provides insight into the client’s current comfort measures and pain management strategies. Sharing how the client’s pain can be alleviated will help the next nurse provide the most effective care and manage the client's comfort.

C) "The client received the prescribed antibiotic every 8 hours": While medication administration is an essential part of the report, this specific detail is unnecessary if the medication administration schedule is already part of the client's medical record or the nurse's medication administration documentation. The change-of-shift report should focus on whether the client has had any reactions, responses, or issues related to the medication, rather than simply repeating the schedule.

D) "The client's mother died 4 years ago from breast cancer": This personal history may be relevant to understanding the client's emotional well-being but is not essential in a clinical report unless it directly impacts current care. If the client's grief or family history affects their current health status (such as in the case of emotional distress, family health risks, or health behaviors), it may be relevant, but it's generally not a priority in a shift report unless it has immediate implications for care.