The healthcare provider prescribes a 24-hour urine specimen to be collected for creatinine clearance. The client is eager to go home and tells the nurse that the first sample was put in the urinal 2 hours ago. Which action should the nurse implement?

Choice a reason: A 3 mL syringe is the most accurate device for measuring a 2 mL dose of a viscous liquid solution due to its design and gradation precision. Syringes provide clearly marked measurement lines, allowing for highly accurate dosing, especially for amounts as small as 2 mL. For viscous liquids, the controlled plunger mechanism of a syringe ensures smooth and consistent measurement and delivery. This is critical in nursing practice, as even slight deviations in medication dosing can lead to therapeutic failures or adverse effects. Additionally, syringes are designed to handle a variety of liquid viscosities, reducing the likelihood of measurement errors caused by sticking or uneven flow. By eliminating the need for visual estimation common with other tools, the syringe minimizes user error and enhances patient safety. The 3 mL capacity ensures the nurse can measure the exact dose without overloading or underutilizing the equipment, maintaining both precision and ease of use.

Choice b reason: A one-ounce medicine cup is less accurate for measuring a 2 mL dose due to its relatively larger size and less precise measurement gradations. Medicine cups are typically designed for measuring larger volumes, such as 5 mL, 15 mL, or more, and are not ideal for small doses. The wide surface area and less detailed markings make it difficult to accurately align the liquid level to the desired measurement, especially for small amounts like 2 mL. This can result in over- or under-dosing, which is particularly problematic when administering potent medications. Additionally, the open design of medicine cups may make pouring viscous liquids challenging, as the liquid may stick to the sides of the cup, leading to further inaccuracies. While convenient for larger doses or liquid mixtures, the medicine cup does not offer the precision required for small, specific dosages in clinical practice.

Choice c reason: A tuberculin syringe, which has a capacity of 1 mL, is specifically designed for administering very small doses, such as subcutaneous or intradermal injections. Using it for a 2 mL dose is impractical and could lead to dosing errors. The nurse would need to fill the syringe twice to administer the full 2 mL, increasing the risk of cumulative measurement inaccuracies. This approach is also time-consuming and may lead to wastage of the medication, as viscous liquids can leave residue inside the syringe, further complicating the dose calculation. Additionally, the markings on a tuberculin syringe are optimized for fractions of a milliliter, not for whole milliliter increments, making it unsuitable for measuring a 2 mL dose. Using this tool for a dose beyond its designed capacity contradicts best practices in nursing, which emphasize using equipment tailored to the specific requirements of the medication and patient.

Choice d reason: Using a 3 mL syringe with a sterile needle is unnecessary and not recommended for administering an oral medication. While the 3 mL syringe itself is suitable for measuring a 2 mL dose, the inclusion of a sterile needle is irrelevant and introduces an additional risk of improper administration. Oral medications are not meant to be injected, and the presence of a needle could lead to accidental use or injury. Furthermore, sterile needles are specifically intended for invasive procedures, such as intramuscular or intravenous injections, and their inclusion in an oral medication protocol is not only superfluous but also contraindicated. The presence of the needle complicates the preparation process without providing any benefit, detracting from the simplicity and efficiency of administering the medication orally. In nursing practice, ensuring that the equipment matches the route of administration is crucial to patient safety and protocol adherence.

Choice A reason: This is the most important instruction because lowering the bed reduces the risk of injury to both the client and the UAP. It also makes it easier for the UAP to use proper body mechanics and leverage when assisting the client to move up in bed.

Choice B reason: This is not the most important instruction because encouraging the client to eat all of the meals that are sent is not directly related to repositioning the client. While adequate nutrition is important for wound healing and recovery, the nurse should assess the client's appetite, dietary needs, and preferences before instructing the UAP to encourage the client to eat.

Choice C reason: This is also not the most important instruction because offering fruit juice at least twice during both the day and evening shifts is not directly related to repositioning the client. While adequate hydration is important for preventing constipation and promoting circulation, the nurse should consider the client's fluid status, blood sugar levels, and potential interactions with medications before instructing the UAP to offer fruit juice.

Choice D reason: This is another incorrect instruction because having the client hold a pillow over the abdomen to cough and deep breathe is not directly related to repositioning the client. While coughing and deep breathing are important for preventing respiratory complications and promoting oxygenation, the nurse should instruct the client to perform these exercises at regular intervals, not only when repositioning.