A hospice nurse is caring for a client who has a terminal illness and reports severe pain. After the nurse administers the prescribed opioid and benzodiazepine, the client becomes somnolent and difficult to arouse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

a. Root cause analysis:

Root cause analysis is a method used to identify the underlying causes of problems or adverse events. It involves systematically investigating an issue to determine the primary factors that contributed to its occurrence. Root cause analysis aims to identify not only the immediate causes but also the underlying systemic or process-related factors that led to the problem.

b. Benchmarking:

Benchmarking involves comparing an organization's performance, processes, or outcomes to those of other organizations or industry standards that are recognized as leaders or best practices. It allows organizations to identify areas for improvement by learning from the successes and best practices of others. Benchmarking can help organizations set performance targets, improve processes, and achieve excellence in various areas.

c. Risk benefit analysis:

Risk-benefit analysis is a method used to evaluate the potential risks and benefits associated with a decision, action, or intervention. It involves assessing the likelihood and severity of potential risks and comparing them to the expected benefits or outcomes. Risk-benefit analysis helps decision-makers weigh the advantages and disadvantages of different options to make informed decisions that maximize benefits while minimizing risks.

d. Structure audit:

A structure audit is an evaluation of the organizational structure, policies, procedures, and resources in place within an organization. It assesses the adequacy and effectiveness of the organizational infrastructure in supporting the delivery of services or achieving organizational goals. Structure audits help identify strengths and weaknesses in the organization's structure and processes, providing insights into areas that may require improvement or enhancement.

a. "You can ask an AP to teach a simple task to a client."

While assistive personnel may assist with client education under the supervision of a licensed nurse, the primary responsibility for teaching tasks to clients usually rests with licensed healthcare providers.

b. "You should assign tasks you are unfamiliar with to an experienced AP."

Delegating tasks to assistive personnel should be based on their competency and the complexity of the task, not necessarily on the nurse's familiarity with it. It is essential to delegate tasks that the AP is trained and competent to perform.

c. "If you are unsure about an AP’s ability, observe them performing the task."

This is the correct statement. It emphasizes the importance of assessing an assistive personnel's competence by observing their performance before delegating tasks, especially if there is uncertainty about their abilities.

d. "The person who delegates a task is not held accountable for the outcome."

This statement is incorrect. The person delegating a task is ultimately accountable for ensuring that the task is performed correctly and safely. Delegation does not relieve the delegator of accountability.