A nurse in a long-term care facility is reviewing the facility documentation policies with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following abbreviations should the nurse remind the newly licensed nurse to use when documenting care?

A) Reinforcing teaching with a client about stool specimen collection:

This task involves providing education to the client, which requires nursing knowledge and judgment. It is not appropriate to delegate to assistive personnel, as they may not have the necessary training or expertise to provide accurate and comprehensive teaching.

B) Collecting a urine specimen from a client who is experiencing dysuria:

Collecting a urine specimen from a client who is experiencing dysuria is an appropriate task to delegate to assistive personnel. This task involves following a standard procedure for specimen collection and does not require specialized nursing judgment or assessment skills.

C) Taking the vital signs of a client who is experiencing acute angina:

Assessing vital signs, especially in a client experiencing acute angina, requires nursing judgment and the ability to recognize and respond to changes in the client's condition. This task should not be delegated to assistive personnel, as they may not have the training to recognize signs of deterioration or respond appropriately.

D) Answering a telephone inquiry about NPO status from a client who is scheduled for a procedure:

Providing information over the phone regarding NPO (nothing by mouth) status involves assessing the client's specific situation, understanding the procedure's requirements, and potentially making clinical decisions based on the client's condition. This task requires nursing judgment and should not be delegated to assistive personnel.

A. "My attorney will need to notarize the document."

This statement indicates a misunderstanding of advance directives. Notarization by an attorney is not a requirement for advance directives. While legal advice may be helpful in completing advance directive documents, notarization by an attorney is not necessary for their validity.

B. "I have to choose a member of my family to be my health care surrogate."

This statement is incorrect. While a family member can serve as a health care surrogate if chosen by the individual, there is no requirement to select a family member. The individual can choose any competent adult to act as their health care surrogate, regardless of familial relationship.

C. "Once the form is notarized, it cannot be changed."

This statement is incorrect. Advance directive documents can be changed or revoked at any time by the individual as long as they are of sound mind and able to make decisions. Notarization does not prevent changes or revisions to the document.

D. "My health care surrogate can decide my treatment if I am unable to."

Correct. This statement demonstrates an understanding of advance directives. A health care surrogate, also known as a health care proxy or durable power of attorney for health care, is a person chosen by an individual to make medical decisions on their behalf if they become unable to do so. This includes decisions about medical treatment, procedures, and end-of-life care.