A nurse and an assistive personnel (AP) are repositioning a client who is immobile up in bed using a draw sheet. The nurse should instruct the AP to take which of the following actions?

The correct answer is B. Productive cough with thick mucus. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria. It causes severe coughing spells that can interfere with breathing and produce a characteristic whooping sound when inhaling. The cough may also be accompanied by thick mucus that can be difficult to clear. Therefore, a nurse should expect to see a productive cough with thick mucus as a manifestation of pertussis in a child. The other options are not typical manifestations of pertussis, but rather of other conditions. A beefy, red tongue may indicate vitamin B12 deficiency or pernicious anemia. Facial erythema may indicate fever, allergy, or inflammation. Peeling of the hands and feet may indicate Kawasaki disease, a rare inflammatory disorder that affects the blood vessels.

Choice A reason

Ensuring that the client's family supports the provider's decision for surgery is not an appropriate action. While family support is essential in the decision-making process, the primary responsibility lies with the client's health care surrogate or designated decision-maker. The family's support is not a substitute for obtaining informed consent from the designated decision-maker.

Choice B reason

Sending the unsigned informed consent form to the facility's risk manager is not appropriate action. The nurse should not send an unsigned informed consent form to the facility's risk manager. Unsigned consent forms do not have any legal significance or validity. The nurse should work with the health care surrogate to ensure that the consent form is appropriately completed and signed.

Choice C reason

Determining if the procedure is medically necessary for the client is not appropriate action. While the medical necessity of the procedure is important, the decision about the procedure's necessity should be made by the medical team and discussed with the health care surrogate. The nurse's role is to facilitate communication and ensure that the surrogate is informed and involved in the decision-making process.

Choice D reason

When a client is in a coma and unable to provide informed consent, the health care surrogate or designated decision-maker becomes responsible for making medical decisions on behalf of the client. It is essential for the nurse to ensure that the health care surrogate is aware of the situation, understands the risks and benefits of the surgical procedure, and has provided informed consent on behalf of the client.