A nurse from a medical unit is asked to work on an orthopedic unit. The medical nurse has no orthopedic experience. Which of the following clients should be assigned to the medical nurse?

Answer is: d. "Clients are the experts on their own pain."

Explanation: The charge nurse's response acknowledges the client's self-report of pain, which is considered the most reliable indicator of pain presence and intensity. This approach emphasizes the importance of individualized pain management and respects the client's autonomy.

Statement a. is wrong because the nurse is suggesting an intervention without assessing the client's pain or consulting the healthcare provider. Although nonpharmacological interventions may be appropriate, they should be discussed with the client and provider before making decisions.

Statement b. is wrong because withholding prescribed medication without a valid reason or consultation with the healthcare provider is inappropriate and could result in inadequate pain management.

Statement c. is wrong because contacting mental health services for a consultation based on the assumption that the client is seeking drugs may be premature and overlook the client's reported pain. A thorough assessment and discussion with the healthcare provider should precede any consultation.

Answer is b. Frequent use of restroom.

a. Spends free time conversing with other staff at the nurses' station: Socializing with colleagues during free time at the nurses' station is a common and acceptable behavior in many healthcare settings. While excessive socializing could potentially interfere with productivity, it does not necessarily indicate impairment. Engaging in conversations with coworkers can serve as a stress-reliever and contribute to a supportive work environment, rather than being a sign of impairment.

b. Frequent use of restroom: Correct. Frequent restroom use can be a red flag for substance abuse or other health issues. Individuals who are working while impaired may frequently visit the restroom to use drugs, manage their effects, or experience side effects of substance use. This behavior may be a tactic to conceal substance abuse from coworkers or supervisors, as frequent restroom breaks could be perceived as a normal bodily function. Therefore, the charge nurse should pay close attention to staff members who exhibit a pattern of frequent restroom use, especially if there are other signs of impairment or behavior changes.

c. Depends on other nurses to administer pain medication to their clients: While relying on other nurses to administer pain medication to clients could potentially raise concerns about the staff nurse's competence or workload management, it does not necessarily indicate impairment. There could be various reasons for a nurse to delegate medication administration tasks, such as being assigned to other critical tasks, adhering to hospital policies, or seeking assistance during busy periods. Without further evidence or observation of impaired behavior, depending on others to administer medications cannot be solely attributed to working while impaired.

d. Delegates tasks to assistive personnel: Delegating tasks to assistive personnel is a standard nursing practice and does not inherently suggest impairment. Nurses often delegate tasks to other healthcare team members, including certified nursing assistants or patient care technicians, to ensure efficient and effective patient care delivery. Delegation is guided by nursing standards, patient acuity, and the scope of practice of assistive personnel. Therefore, observing a nurse delegating tasks alone is not sufficient evidence to suspect impairment.

In summary, the correct answer is b because frequent use of the restroom can be indicative of substance abuse or other health issues, especially when observed in conjunction with other signs of impairment or behavior changes. The charge nurse should carefully monitor and investigate any concerning behaviors displayed by staff nurses to ensure patient safety and provide appropriate support and intervention.