A provider is evaluating labor progress and remarks that "there is plenty of room in the pelvis". The nurse should recognize this is part of the provider's assessment of which of the 5 P's?

Potential Condition:

• B. Type 1 diabetes mellitus

The client’s symptoms of fatigue, blurred vision, dizziness, and headache, along with a high blood glucose level and HbA1C, suggest that they are experiencing hyperglycemia, a condition common in individuals with Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Actions to Take:

• B. Teach the client about the signs of hyperglycemia.
• D. Assess the client’s feet for sensation.

Teaching the client about the signs of hyperglycemia will help them recognize when their blood sugar is high and take appropriate action. Assessing the client’s feet for sensation is also important as diabetes can lead to peripheral neuropathy, which can result in a loss of sensation in the feet.

Parameters to Monitor:

• B. Blood pressure
• D. Fingerstick blood glucose

Monitoring the client’s blood pressure is important as hypertension can be a complication of diabetes. Regularly checking the client’s fingerstick blood glucose levels will help ensure that their diabetes is being effectively managed.

Choice A rationale

The task of recording strict nutritional content is within the scope of practice for an assistive personnel (AP). The AP can keep track of the client’s food and fluid intake and report this information to the nurse. This is important in this case as the client has not been eating and the provider has prescribed a regular tray with finger foods at each meal. The nurse can then use this information to assess the client’s nutritional status and make necessary adjustments to the care plan.

Choice B rationale

Administering medication, such as memantine, is not within the scope of practice for an AP. This task requires knowledge and skills related to pharmacology, assessment, and evaluation that are beyond the training of an AP. Therefore, this task should be performed by a licensed nurse.

Choice C rationale

Performing neurological checks is also not within the scope of practice for an AP. These checks involve assessing the client’s level of consciousness, orientation, and neurological function, which require advanced assessment skills. Therefore, this task should be performed by a licensed nurse.

Choice D rationale

Continuing the bowel training program could potentially be within the scope of practice for an AP, depending on the specific tasks involved. However, in this case, the family member has reported that the client is having more difficulty staying focused, which suggests that the bowel training program may need to be adjusted. This requires nursing judgment and therefore should be performed by a licensed nurse.