A home health nurse is visiting a client who has advanced Alzheimer's disease. The client's partner states, "I miss being able to go places with my friends." Which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?

Choice A Reason:

While documenting the refusal is important for accurate record-keeping and to ensure communication among the healthcare team, addressing the client's immediate concerns and attempting to resolve the issue of medication refusal should take precedence before documenting.

Choice B Reason:

Returning the medication is a procedural step but is not the immediate action needed when a client refuses medication due to adverse effects. First, it's important to address the client's concerns and discuss the potential consequences of refusal.

When a client refuses medication due to experiencing adverse effects, the initial action for the nurse to take is:

Choice C Reason:

Inform the client of the potential consequences of their refusal is correct. It's essential to engage in a conversation with the client to understand their concerns and educate them about the potential consequences of not taking their antihypertensive medication. The nurse should discuss the risks associated with untreated high blood pressure to ensure the client is informed about the importance of the prescribed medication.

Choice D Reason:

Notifying the provider is important, but it is generally done after the nurse has attempted to address the client’s concerns and informed them of the consequences. The provider should be informed if the refusal persists or if the nurse believes the situation requires further medical intervention.

Choice A Reason:

Chlorine bleach is correct. Chlorine bleach is an effective disinfectant against bloodborne pathogens. It's recommended for cleaning surfaces contaminated with blood spills because it can destroy various microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses. However, it's essential to follow proper dilution guidelines and safety precautions when using bleach.

Choice B Reason:

Chlorhexidine gluconate is incorrect. While chlorhexidine gluconate is an antiseptic commonly used for skin disinfection before medical procedures or as a surgical scrub, it's not typically used for cleaning blood spills on surfaces. Its primary application is for skin disinfection, not environmental surface cleaning.

Choice C Reason:

Hydrogen peroxide is incorrect. Hydrogen peroxide is a mild antiseptic that can disinfect wounds or clean certain surfaces. However, it might not be as effective as chlorine bleach in dealing with blood spills. It's generally used more for superficial wound cleaning rather than for disinfecting large contaminated surfaces.

Choice D Reason:

Isopropyl alcohol is incorrect. Isopropyl alcohol is a commonly used disinfectant for surfaces, but when it comes to blood spills, it might not be as effective as chlorine bleach. While it can kill some pathogens, its efficacy against certain bloodborne pathogens may be limited compared to bleach.