The practical nurse (PN) is preparing a client for discharge who receives a prescription for oral prednisone to treat a severe allergic reaction. Which teaching about medication administration should the PN reinforce?

When assessing an older client with left-sided heart failure (HF), the most important intervention for the practical nurse (PN) to implement is to auscultate all lung fields. Left-sided heart failure is characterized by the inability of the left ventricle to effectively pump blood, leading to fluid accumulation in the lungs. Auscultating all lung fields allows the PN to assess for the presence of abnormal lung sounds such as crackles, indicating pulmonary congestion.

In summary, when assessing an older client with left-sided heart failure, the most important intervention for the practical nurse (PN) to implement is to auscultate all lung fields. This allows for the detection of abnormal lung sounds associated with pulmonary congestion, a hallmark sign of left-sided heart failure.

The action that the practical nurse (PN) should take in this situation is to complete an advance directive form and place it in the client's medical record. Advance directives are legal documents that outline an individual's healthcare preferences and treatment decisions in the event that they become unable to communicate or make decisions for themselves. By completing an advance directive, the client's wishes regarding life-saving measures can be documented and honored.
A. Placing a "Do Not Resuscitate" sign outside the client's door and at the bedside is not sufficient documentation of the client's wishes. While it may serve as a visual reminder to healthcare providers, it is important to have the client's preferences clearly documented in their medical records through a formal advance directive.
B. Reassuring the client that life-saving measures will not be taken without consent is important for establishing trust and communication. However, it is essential to have the client's preferences formally documented to ensure that their wishes are respected and followed.
D. Notifying the client's healthcare provider of the client's wishes is an important step, but it should be done after completing the advance directive form. The advance directive will provide clear instructions to the healthcare team regarding the client's preferences, and the healthcare provider can review and acknowledge these wishes accordingly.