Which is the best option for washing the patient’s hair who has just undergone shoulder replacement surgery?

Choice A reason: This is an incorrect choice because tying the restraints to the footboard is not a safe or appropriate option when the nurse is applying soft wrist restraints to the patient. The footboard is the part of the bed that supports the foot end of the mattress. Tying the restraints to the footboard can cause the patient to slide down the bed and increase the risk of strangulation, pressure ulcers, or nerve damage.

Choice B reason: This is the correct choice because tying the restraints to the bedframe is the safest and most appropriate option when the nurse is applying soft wrist restraints to the patient. The bedframe is the metal or wooden structure that supports the mattress and the box spring. Tying the restraints to the bedframe can ensure that the restraints are secure and stable, and that the patient has enough room to move without causing injury or discomfort.

Choice C reason: This is an incorrect choice because tying the restraints to the headboard is not a safe or appropriate option when the nurse is applying soft wrist restraints to the patient. The headboard is the part of the bed that supports the head end of the mattress. Tying the restraints to the headboard can cause the patient to slide up the bed and increase the risk of strangulation, pressure ulcers, or nerve damage.

Choice D reason: This is an incorrect choice because tying the restraints to the side rails is not a safe or appropriate option when the nurse is applying soft wrist restraints to the patient. The side rails are the bars that run along the sides of the bed to prevent the patient from falling out. Tying the restraints to the side rails can cause the patient to twist or bend their wrists and increase the risk of circulation impairment, nerve damage, or skin breakdown.

Choice A reason: This is an incorrect choice because using empathy is not the correct term for the nursing action of deciding that a nonverbal patient who just had surgery is in pain and administering an analgesic, based on the observation that the patient moans with position changes, the hands are clenched, and the skin is very sweaty. Empathy is a communication technique that involves understanding and sharing the feelings of another person. However, it is not the term that describes the cognitive process of drawing conclusions from the available data.

Choice B reason: This is an incorrect choice because setting priorities is not the correct term for the nursing action of deciding that a nonverbal patient who just had surgery is in pain and administering an analgesic, based on the observation that the patient moans with position changes, the hands are clenched, and the skin is very sweaty. Setting priorities is a nursing skill that involves determining the order of importance of the patient's problems and interventions. However, it is not the term that describes the cognitive process of drawing conclusions from the available data.

Choice C reason: This is the correct choice because making inferences is the correct term for the nursing action of deciding that a nonverbal patient who just had surgery is in pain and administering an analgesic, based on the observation that the patient moans with position changes, the hands are clenched, and the skin is very sweaty. Making inferences is a critical thinking skill that involves reaching a logical judgment or assumption based on the available data and evidence. The nurse makes an inference that the patient is in pain based on the patient's nonverbal cues and the fact that the patient just had surgery.

Choice D reason: This is an incorrect choice because recognizing inconsistencies is not the correct term for the nursing action of deciding that a nonverbal patient who just had surgery is in pain and administering an analgesic, based on the observation that the patient moans with position changes, the hands are clenched, and the skin is very sweaty. Recognizing inconsistencies is a critical thinking skill that involves identifying discrepancies or contradictions in the data or information. However, it is not the term that describes the cognitive process of drawing conclusions from the available data.