A client who is unconscious and has extensive internal injuries arrives via ambulance to the emergency department. The staff cannot reach the client's family. Which of the following permits the staff to proceed with emergency surgery?

Choice A reason: A client who has gestational diabetes and is receiving biweekly nonstress tests is incorrect. Gestational diabetes requires monitoring of maternal blood glucose levels and fetal well-being. Nonstress tests are a common method of assessing fetal well-being in pregnancies complicated by conditions such as gestational diabetes. Nurses caring for clients with gestational diabetes need to understand the management of blood glucose levels, dietary considerations, insulin administration if needed, and fetal monitoring techniques. This requires obstetrical-specific knowledge and expertise.

Choice B reason: A primigravida client who is 1 day postoperative following a Cesarean section and has a PCA pump is correct. This client is postoperative following a Cesarean section and is likely in need of pain management through a PCA pump. Postoperative care after a Cesarean section involves monitoring for signs of complications such as infection, bleeding, and wound healing, as well as managing pain effectively. While nurses with medical-surgical experience may be familiar with PCA pumps, the postoperative care of a cesarean section client involves obstetrical-specific considerations such as uterine monitoring, assessment of lochia (vaginal discharge after childbirth), and breastfeeding support.

Choice C reason: A client who is at 32 weeks of gestation and has premature rupture of membranes is not an appropriate assignment for the RN who has floated from a medical-surgical unit, as it involves a high-risk pregnancy that needs close monitoring and intervention to prevent preterm labor and infection. The charge nurse should assign this client to an RN who is competent in the obstetrical unit.

Choice D reason: A multigravida client who has preeclampsia and is receiving misoprostol for induction of labor is not an appropriate assignment for the RN who has floated from a medical-surgical unit, as it involves a complex and potentially life-threatening condition that requires frequent assessment and intervention to prevent eclampsia, hemorrhage, and fetal distress. The charge nurse should assign this client to an RN who is proficient in the obstetrical unit.

Choice A reason: This is not the correct way to transcribe a verbal prescription. The nurse should not use decimals or trailing zeros when writing doses, as they can be misread or mistaken for larger doses. For example, 10.0 mg could be read as 100 mg.

Choice B reason: This is not the correct way to transcribe a verbal prescription. The nurse should not use abbreviations that are not approved by the facility or the Joint Commission, as they can be confusing or ambiguous. For example, MSO4 could be confused with magnesium sulfate (MgSO4).

Choice C reason: This is the correct way to transcribe a verbal prescription. The nurse should write the full name of the drug, the dose, the route, the frequency, and the indication for use. The nurse should also use standard abbreviations that are clear and unambiguous. For example, IV means intravenous, q4h means every 4 hours, and prn means as needed.

Choice D reason: This is not the correct way to transcribe a verbal prescription. The nurse should not use abbreviations that are not approved by the facility or the Joint Commission, as they can be confusing or ambiguous. For example, MS could be confused with morphine sulfate or magnesium sulfate. The nurse should also use standard abbreviations for the route and frequency, not words like every or prn.