For the past six hours, a postoperative male client has refused pain medication because he believed that he could "tough it out." When an opioid analgesic is administered, the client has difficulty obtaining a satisfactory level of comfort.

Which action is best for the practical nurse (PN) to use in assisting this client to deal with his pain?

The correct answer is Choice C. Place the ID bands on the infant and mother.

Choice A rationale:

While obtaining the infant's vital signs is important, it is not the priority action before transporting the baby to the nursery. Placing ID bands on the infant and mother ensures proper identification and prevents mix-ups during transportation, which is crucial in the nursery setting.

Choice B rationale:

Administering vitamin K injection is also essential but not the immediate priority before transporting the baby. Vitamin K administration helps prevent bleeding disorders in newborns, but ensuring proper identification and security come first.

Choice C rationale:

The correct choice. Placing ID bands on the infant and mother is the most important action before transporting the baby to the nursery. This step ensures accurate identification and matching between the baby and the mother, preventing any confusion or errors in the hospital setting.

Choice D rationale:

Observing the infant latching onto the breast is important for promoting breastfeeding, but it can be done after ensuring proper identification and safety measures have been taken.

The correct answer is choice D. Cleanse the finger with soap and water.

Choice A rationale:

Explaining the occurrence to the client is not the first action the PN should take in this situation. The priority is to address the potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens and ensure the PN's safety.

Choice B rationale:

Observing the appearance of the injection site is important for routine assessment but is not the first action the PN should take after getting stuck with the used needle. Immediate action to clean the wound site is essential to reduce the risk of infection.

Choice C rationale:

While notifying the charge nurse about the incident is important, it should not be the first action taken. The PN's safety should be addressed first by cleansing the finger.

Choice D rationale:

The PN should first cleanse the finger with soap and water immediately after getting stuck with the used needle. This action helps reduce the risk of infection and contamination. After cleansing, the PN can follow the facility's protocol for reporting incidents and seek necessary medical attention if required.