An older female client who was recently widowed has become increasingly confused and disoriented. Her family tells the healthcare provider's office nurse that it is imperative for their mother to be admitted to the hospital for medical evaluation. The client is a member of a managed healthcare plan. Which information is best for the nurse to provide this family?

Choice A Reason: A subtotal thyroidectomy is a major surgery that involves the removal of part of the thyroid gland. The client may have complications such as bleeding, infection, hypocalcemia, or vocal cord damage. The client also needs close monitoring of vital signs, blood transfusion, and airway patency. This client is not stable enough to be transferred to a general unit.

Choice B Reason: A combined partial and full-thickness burn is a serious injury that involves damage to the epidermis, dermis, and underlying tissues. The client may have complications such as infection, fluid loss, hypovolemia, shock, or respiratory distress. The client also needs wound care, pain management, fluid replacement, and oxygen therapy. This client is not stable enough to be transferred to a general unit.

Choice C Reason: A renal transplant is a major surgery that involves the replacement of a diseased kidney with a healthy one from a donor. The client may have complications such as rejection, infection, bleeding, thrombosis, or urinary obstruction. The client also needs immunosuppressive therapy, anti-infective therapy, fluid and electrolyte balance, and pain management. This client is not stable enough to be transferred to a general unit.

Choice D Reason: Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder that causes excessive protein loss in the urine, leading to low serum protein levels and edema. The client may have complications such as infection, thromboembolism, or malnutrition. The client needs diuretic therapy, protein replacement, dietary modification, and infection prevention. This client is relatively stable and can be transferred to a general unit.

Choice A Reason: Instructing UAPs to transfer all non-ambulatory clients via wheelchairs is not a good intervention, as it may expose the clients and the UAPs to smoke and fire, and cause panic and congestion in the hallways. The charge nurse should follow the RACE protocol (Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish), which means rescuing only those clients who are in immediate danger, and containing the fire by closing doors and windows.

Choice B Reason: Instructing the nursing staff to evacuate ambulatory clients to the nearest fire exits is not a good intervention, as it may also expose the clients and the staff to smoke and fire, and interfere with the fire

department's efforts. The charge nurse should follow the RACE protocol, which means evacuating only as a last resort, and only after receiving instructions from the fire department.

Choice C Reason: Shutting all doors to client rooms and telling everyone to stay in their rooms until the fire

department arrives is the best intervention, as it follows the RACE protocol, which means containing the fire by closing doors and windows, and extinguishing it if possible with a fire extinguisher. This intervention also helps protect the clients and staff from smoke inhalation and fire spread, and allows the fire department to access and control the fire.

Choice D Reason: Announcing in a calm voice that all visitors should proceed immediately to the first floor via the service elevators is not a good intervention, as it may endanger the visitors and cause more damage. The charge nurse should follow the RACE protocol, which means alarming others by activating the fire alarm system and calling 911. The charge nurse should also instruct visitors not to use elevators during a fire, as they may malfunction or trap them inside.