While changing a postoperative patient’s dressing, the nurse notices purulent drainage at the site.
Before reporting this to the healthcare provider, which of the patient’s lab values should the nurse check?

Choice A rationale

Assigning the newly hired UAP to clients who require the least complex level of care might not be the best approach. While it might seem logical to assign less complex cases to a new hire, this could limit the UAP’s opportunities for learning and growth.

Choice B rationale

Reviewing the UAP’s skills checklist and experience with the person who hired the UAP is an important step, but it might not be enough to ensure adequate care for all clients. The skills and experiences listed on a checklist might not fully reflect the UAP’s actual abilities in a real-world setting.

Choice C rationale

Asking the most experienced UAP on the team to partner with the newly hired UAP could be beneficial for mentorship and guidance. However, this might not be the most efficient use of resources, especially if the experienced UAP has to spend a significant amount of time supervising the new hire.

Choice D rationale

Assessing the newly hired UAP’s competency level by observing the UAP deliver care is the most effective way to ensure adequate care for all clients. This allows the nurse to directly evaluate the UAP’s skills and abilities in a real-world setting, and to provide immediate feedback and guidance as needed.

Choice A rationale

While nausea and vomiting can be side effects of eye surgery, they are not typically associated with acute pain deep within the eye following laser trabeculoplasty. Therefore, administering an antiemetic would not address the client’s primary complaint.

Choice B rationale

Acute pain deep within the eye following laser trabeculoplasty is not a typical postoperative symptom and could indicate a complication such as increased intraocular pressure or inflammation. Therefore, the nurse should report this complaint to the surgeon immediately for further evaluation.

Choice C rationale

While eye shields can help reduce photosensitivity after eye surgery, they would not typically alleviate acute pain deep within the eye. Therefore, this action would not address the client’s primary complaint.

Choice D rationale

While prophylactic antibiotics can help prevent infection after eye surgery, they would not typically alleviate acute pain deep within the eye. Therefore, this action would not address the client’s primary complaint.