The nurse is preparing an older male adult for discharge who does not read and has bilateral hearing loss.

The client's daughter who lives close to her father tells the nurse that she will stop by daily to check on her father.

Which intervention(s) should the nurse implement? (Select all that apply.).

Choice A rationale:

Instructing the client to bring all medications, supplements, and herbs currently being taken to the next clinic appointment (Choice A) is the best course of action. This allows the healthcare provider to review the client's entire medication regimen, identify any potential interactions or duplications, and make appropriate adjustments. It promotes medication safety and ensures that the client receives the most effective and safe treatment.

Choice B rationale:

Using a medication reminder system (Choice B) is a helpful suggestion but does not address the issue of potential duplications or interactions between medications. While a reminder system can improve adherence, it does not provide a comprehensive solution to the problem of multiple prescriptions for the same indication.

Choice C rationale:

Making certain a family member knows the name and use of all medications currently being taken (Choice C) is a useful practice for medication safety but may not be sufficient to address the issue of multiple prescriptions. Relying solely on a family member's knowledge may lead to misunderstandings or omissions in the medication regimen.

Choice D rationale:

Do not take any over-the-counter drugs while taking medications prescribed by a healthcare provider (Choice D) is a relevant piece of advice for medication safety. However, it does not directly address the issue of multiple prescriptions for the same indication. It is essential for the client to have a complete and accurate record of all medications, both prescribed and over-the-counter, to ensure safe and effective treatment.

This is the priority action by the practical nurse (PN) because it can help identify and prevent a potential adverse reaction to the medication. A client who is reaching saturation with medication means that the client has reached the maximum level of medication in the blood that can produce the desired therapeutic effect. However, this also means that the client is at a higher risk of developing toxicity or side effects from the medication. The PN should report the findings of muscle soreness, fatigue, and warm skin to the charge nurse, as these may indicate signs of inflammation, infection, or allergic reaction to the medication. The PN should also monitor the client's vital signs, oxygen saturation, and laboratory values, and document the findings. The charge nurse should notify the health care provider and adjust the medication dosage or regimen as ordered.

a) Administer a PRN dose of acetaminophen.

This is not the priority action by the PN because it does not address the underlying cause of the client's symptoms. Acetaminophen is an analgesic and antipyretic medication that can help reduce pain and fever. However, it does not treat inflammation, infection, or allergy, which may be the reasons for the client's muscle soreness, fatigue, and warm skin. The PN should administer a PRN dose of acetaminophen only after reporting the findings to the charge nurse and obtaining an order from the health care provider.

b) Encourage the client to drink fluids.

This is not the priority action by the PN because it does not address the underlying cause of the client's symptoms. Drinking fluids can help maintain hydration and electrolyte balance in the body, which are important for normal functioning of cells and organs. However, it does not treat inflammation, infection, or allergy, which may be the reasons for the client's muscle soreness, fatigue, and warm skin. The PN should encourage the client to drink fluids only after reporting the findings to the charge nurse and obtaining an order from the health care provider.

d) Monitor the client's serum lipid levels.

This is not the priority action by the PN because it is not related to the client's symptoms. Serum lipid levels are measures of fats and cholesterol in the blood, which are important for energy production, hormone synthesis, and cell membrane structure. However, they are not related to inflammation, infection, or allergy, which may be the reasons for the client's muscle soreness, fatigue, and warm skin. The PN should monitor the client's serum lipid levels only if they are prescribed a medication that can affect lipid metabolism, such as statins or fibrates.