A nurse in a long-term care facility is managing the care of an older adult client who has difficulty swallowing and occasional choking during meals. The nurse should initiate a referral to which of the following members of the interprofessional care team?

Choice A reason: Aspirin is contraindicated in peptic ulcer disease due to its antiplatelet and gastric irritant effects, risking bleeding or ulcer exacerbation. Acetaminophen is safer. Administering aspirin risks gastrointestinal hemorrhage, critical to avoid in ensuring safe pain management for clients with a history of peptic ulcers.

Choice B reason: Ibuprofen, an NSAID, irritates the gastric mucosa, worsening peptic ulcers and increasing bleeding risk, making it unsuitable. Acetaminophen is preferred. Administering ibuprofen risks ulcer perforation or bleeding, critical to prevent in ensuring safe headache relief for clients with a peptic ulcer history.

Choice C reason: Ketorolac, an NSAID, is contraindicated in peptic ulcer disease due to its potent gastric irritant effects, risking ulcer aggravation or bleeding. Acetaminophen is safe. Administering ketorolac risks severe gastrointestinal complications, critical to avoid in providing safe pain management for clients with peptic ulcer history.

Choice D reason: Acetaminophen is safe for headache relief in peptic ulcer clients, lacking gastric irritant effects, avoiding risks of bleeding or ulcer worsening. Administering it ensures effective pain management, critical for client comfort, preventing gastrointestinal complications, and supporting safe care in clients with a history of peptic ulcers.

Choice A reason: Checking IV pump cords for fraying ensures electrical safety, preventing shocks or malfunctions, critical for client and staff safety. This routine inspection is essential for equipment reliability, supporting safe infusion delivery, and adhering to hospital safety protocols in managing IV therapy for clients.

Choice B reason: Removing the safety inspection sticker is inappropriate; it verifies equipment safety. Checking cords is correct. Assuming sticker removal is needed risks using unverified equipment, potentially causing malfunctions, critical to avoid in ensuring safe IV pump operation for client infusions.

Choice C reason: Grasping the cord to unplug risks damage or shock; the plug should be held. Checking cords is priority. Assuming cord grasping is safe risks electrical hazards, critical to prevent in ensuring safe handling and operation of IV pumps in client care settings.

Choice D reason: Two-prong outlets are outdated; medical equipment requires three-prong grounded outlets. Checking cords is key. Assuming two-prong outlets are safe risks electrical hazards, critical to avoid in ensuring proper IV pump function and safety for clients receiving infusions in healthcare settings.