The nurse is planning care for a client who has a fourth-degree midline laceration that occurred during vaginal delivery of an 8-pound 10-ounce (3674 grams) infant.

Which intervention has the highest priority for this client?

Choice A rationale:

Procuring platelet products from the blood bank is a task that should be performed by a licensed nurse, not an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). It involves assessing the client's needs, verifying orders, and administering the product, which require nursing judgment and skills.

Choice B rationale:

Titrating oxygen to prescribed parameters is a nursing task that requires clinical judgment, especially if the client's condition changes. UAPs do not have the training or scope of practice to adjust oxygen levels. This task should be assigned to a licensed nurse.

Choice D rationale:

Inserting a urinary catheter, even for an uncomplicated client, is a task that should be performed by a licensed nurse. It involves the potential risk of infection and injury, and it requires sterile technique and assessment of the client's condition. UAPs do not have the training or scope of practice to insert urinary catheters.

Choice A rationale:

The statement, "This medication will help regulate my mood and anxiety," is an accurate description of how antidepressants work. Antidepressants can help improve mood and reduce anxiety symptoms over time.

Choice B rationale:

This is the correct answer. Expecting immediate results from antidepressant medication is a misunderstanding. Antidepressants typically take several weeks to show their full therapeutic effects. Clients need to be informed about the delayed onset of action.

Choice C rationale:

The statement, "I may experience side effects such as nausea and drowsiness," is accurate. Antidepressants can indeed cause side effects, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and drowsiness. This information is essential for the client to be aware of.

Choice D rationale:

This statement is correct. It is crucial to take antidepressant medication consistently as prescribed for the best therapeutic outcomes. Stopping or missing doses without consulting a healthcare provider can lead to treatment ineffectiveness.