A new mother on the postpartum unit runs out of the room screaming that her newborn infant's crib is empty and the baby is missing.

Which action should the nurse take first?

Choice A rationale:

Serum sodium level. Rationale: While electrolyte imbalances can be significant, in the context of purulent drainage at a postoperative site, monitoring serum sodium levels is not the top priority. Other laboratory values are more relevant in this situation.

Choice B rationale:

Hematocrit. Rationale: Hematocrit measures the proportion of red blood cells in the blood and is not directly related to wound drainage or infection. It is not the most relevant parameter to assess in this situation.

Choice C rationale:

Neutrophil count. Rationale: Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that plays a key role in the body's immune response, particularly against bacterial infections. Elevated neutrophil counts can indicate an ongoing infection, so monitoring this value is important when assessing purulent wound drainage.

Choice D rationale:

Platelet count. Rationale: Platelet count measures the number of blood clotting cells in the blood and is not directly related to wound drainage or infection. It is not the most relevant parameter to assess in this situation.

Choice A rationale:

A Speech Therapist is crucial in this case. The patient presented with garbled speech, which indicates a possible speech impairment. A speech therapist can evaluate the patient’s speech and language skills and provide therapy to improve any deficits, which can significantly enhance the patient’s quality of life.

Choice B rationale:

A Case Manager is essential in coordinating the patient’s care. They ensure that the patient’s healthcare needs are met and that the patient is receiving appropriate treatments. They also coordinate with various healthcare professionals and may assist with insurance issues or discharge planning.

Choice C rationale:

A Physical Therapist can help the patient regain physical strength and mobility that might have been affected by the stroke. They can provide exercises and treatments to improve balance, coordination, and muscle strength, which can help the patient regain independence in their daily activities.

Choice D rationale:

A Pharmacy Technician is not typically involved in direct patient care or recovery. Their role is more focused on assisting pharmacists with dispensing medication and other administrative tasks in a pharmacy setting.

Choice E rationale:

The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) is a high-level executive role that oversees nursing staff across an entire healthcare organization. While they play a crucial role in ensuring quality nursing care, they would not be directly involved in individual patient recovery.

Choice F rationale:

A Respiratory Therapist could be helpful if the patient had respiratory issues or complications related to the stroke, but given the information provided, it does not appear that respiratory therapy is needed in this case.

Choice G rationale:

A Medical Assistant typically performs administrative and clinical tasks in healthcare settings but does not specialize in rehabilitation or recovery care for stroke patients.

Choice H rationale:

An Occupational Therapist is vital for stroke recovery. They can help the patient regain skills needed for daily living activities that might have been affected by the stroke, such as eating, dressing, and bathing. They can also provide strategies to compensate for any lasting deficits from the stroke. In summary, for a comprehensive recovery plan for this patient who has had a stroke, an interdisciplinary team involving a Speech Therapist (A), Case Manager (B), Physical Therapist ©, and Occupational Therapist (H) would be most beneficial.