A newly hired school nurse conducts a "windshield" survey of the geographic area served by the school, Which method is best for the nurse to use to objectively validate the findings obtained?

A) Call 911 for emergency transport:
The client is unresponsive, which is a critical situation requiring immediate medical attention. Even though the client is breathing and has a pulse, the unresponsiveness suggests a potentially severe overdose that could rapidly deteriorate. Calling 911 ensures that emergency medical services are on their way to provide advanced care and transport to a facility where further treatment can be administered.

B) Determine what medications were ingested:
While knowing what medications were taken is important for treatment, the immediate priority is to address the client’s unresponsiveness. Identifying the medications can be done once the client is stabilized or while awaiting emergency services, but it does not replace the need for urgent medical intervention.

C) Contact the poison control center:
Contacting the poison control center is useful for guidance on managing an overdose, but it should be done in conjunction with calling 911 if the client is unresponsive. The poison control center can provide specific treatment advice, but immediate emergency medical assistance is crucial for the client’s safety.

D) Attempt to induce vomiting using a tongue blade:
Inducing vomiting can be dangerous, especially if the client is unresponsive or has an impaired airway. Attempting to induce vomiting without professional medical support could lead to aspiration or other complications. The priority is to ensure the client receives proper medical care through emergency services.

A) Provide the information for research purposes only:
Providing client information without proper authorization, even for research purposes, violates confidentiality and privacy regulations. Client information should only be shared in accordance with legal and ethical guidelines to protect patient privacy.

B) Ask the student to sign a standard waiver form:
While obtaining a waiver might be necessary for some purposes, it is not sufficient on its own for releasing personal health information. The primary requirement is to obtain written authorization from the clients whose information is being requested.

C) Obtain written authorization from clients to release the information:
The most appropriate action is to obtain written authorization from the clients before releasing any personal health information. This ensures compliance with privacy regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which mandates that client information be protected and only disclosed with explicit consent.

D) Ask if permission has been obtained from the research committee:
Permission from a research committee does not substitute for individual client consent. While research committees oversee ethical aspects of research, the release of personal health information must also adhere to privacy laws and require individual client authorization.