A client who has back pain presents to an emergency department and is provided a prescription for oxycodone. A staff nurse tells the charge nurse that they think the client is seeking drugs and is not actually in distress. Which of the following responses should the charge nurse make?

Choice A rationale:

Reporting the findings to the hospital ethics committee is not the appropriate action in this scenario. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a clinical issue related to patient care and safety, not an ethical concern. The hospital ethics committee is generally responsible for addressing ethical dilemmas and conflicts.

Choice B rationale:

Alerting central supply is not the correct action in this situation. Central supply typically handles the procurement and distribution of medical supplies, equipment, and materials. While maintaining proper equipment and supplies is important, addressing VAP requires a focus on infection prevention and patient care practices.

Choice C rationale:

Filling out an incident report is not the best course of action for addressing an increase in ventilator-associated pneumonia. Incident reports are typically used to document unexpected events, accidents, or errors that occur in the healthcare setting. However, addressing the rise in VAP involves implementing measures to prevent and control infections, which falls under the purview of the quality improvement team.

Choice D rationale:

The correct action is to notify the quality improvement team. Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a healthcare-associated infection that can lead to serious complications for patients on ventilators. The quality improvement team is responsible for monitoring and improving the quality of patient care, including infection prevention and control. By notifying the quality improvement team, the nurse manager can initiate a comprehensive review of current practices, identify potential areas for improvement, and implement evidence-based interventions to reduce the incidence of VAP.

Choice A rationale:

The client who had abdominal surgery 3 days ago reporting feeling constipated is an important assessment, but an inability to void after indwelling urinary catheter removal takes precedence due to the risk of urinary retention and potential complications such as bladder distention.

Choice B rationale:

The client who had a hip replacement reporting pain as 4 on a scale of 0 to 10 requires assessment and intervention, but an inability to void is a higher priority concern due to the potential impact on renal function and the urinary system.

Choice C rationale:

The client who had an indwelling urinary catheter removed 8 hours ago reporting an inability to void is the correct choice. This situation raises concerns about urinary retention, which can lead to serious complications such as bladder distention, urinary tract infections, and potential damage to the urinary system.

Choice D rationale:

The client scheduled for discharge today expressing readiness to sign paperwork is not an urgent concern compared to the other options. While discharge planning is important, addressing potential physiological issues takes precedence over administrative tasks.