A nurse accidentally sticks her hand with a syringe needle after administering an IM injection to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Choice A rationale:

This situation represents an example of assault. Assault is the threat of bodily harm or unwanted physical contact, which creates an apprehension of fear in the victim. In this case, the laboratory technician's actions of restraining the client's arm against their will for blood drawing without consent is a form of assault as it involves an intentional act causing fear of harm.

Choice B rationale:

While telling a client that the nurse "does not know anything" is unprofessional and disrespectful, it doesn't constitute assault. This scenario is more related to issues of communication and respect rather than a direct threat of physical harm.

Choice C rationale:

Restraining a client at bedtime to prevent wandering is not assault. This scenario might involve ethical considerations and the appropriate use of restraints, but it doesn't meet the legal definition of assault, which involves a threat of physical harm.

Choice D rationale:

Threatening to tie down a client if they try to get up from the chair is an example of assault. This action creates an apprehension of fear in the client by implying a physically harmful act. It's a direct threat that falls under the category of assault.

The correct answer is choice A. Transparent dressing.

Choice A rationale:

Transparent dressings are appropriate for stage I pressure ulcers. These dressings provide a moist environment that promotes healing and protects the wound from external contaminants. They are also transparent, allowing the nurse to monitor the wound without removing the dressing. As stage I pressure ulcers involve intact skin with non-blanchable redness, these dressings aid in preventing friction and shear forces that could exacerbate the injury.

Choice B rationale:

Alginate dressings (Choice B) are not suitable for stage I pressure ulcers. Alginate dressings are highly absorbent and are generally used for wounds with moderate to heavy exudate, such as infected wounds or those with necrotic tissue. They may not be the best choice for a stage I pressure ulcer, which is characterized by superficial skin involvement without exudate or necrosis.

Choice C rationale:

Hydrogel dressings (Choice C) are beneficial for wounds with minimal to no exudate, but they are more appropriate for partial-thickness wounds, burns, or dry wounds. They provide a moist environment and promote autolytic debridement. However, in the case of a stage I pressure ulcer, where the skin is intact and there is no exudate, hydrogel dressings may not be the ideal choice.

Choice D rationale:

Wet-to-dry gauze dressings (Choice D) involve placing moist saline gauze onto a wound bed and allowing it to dry before removal. This method is used for mechanical debridement of wounds with necrotic tissue, and it's not suitable for a stage I pressure ulcer. In fact, using wet-to-dry dressings on a superficial wound could cause trauma and hinder healing.