A nurse is assessing a client who has been taking oral contraceptives for the past 6 months. Which of the following findings should the nurse immediately report to the provider?

Choice A reason: Wearing gloves prevents nicotine absorption through the nurse’s skin during patch application, ensuring safety and preventing side effects like dizziness. This adheres to standard precautions, critical for occupational health, maintaining hygiene, and ensuring effective nicotine therapy for clients in smoking cessation programs.

Choice B reason: Removing the previous patch is correct but placing it in tissue is inadequate; it should be folded and disposed in a sharps container. Assuming tissue disposal is sufficient risks improper handling, potentially exposing others to nicotine, critical to avoid in safe patch management.

Choice C reason: Applying the patch within 1 hour of pouch removal is unnecessary; patches remain stable longer. Wearing gloves is priority. Assuming time restriction risks rushed application, potentially compromising technique, critical to prevent in ensuring safe and effective nicotine patch therapy for smoking cessation.

Choice D reason: Shaving hairy areas risks skin irritation; trimming is preferred before patch application. Wearing gloves is essential. Assuming shaving is correct risks skin damage, reducing patch adhesion, critical to avoid in ensuring proper application and effective nicotine delivery in smoking cessation therapy.

Choice A reason: Discussing communication methods addresses client behaviors but not the caregiver’s stress from constant care. A daycare program offers respite. Focusing on communication risks neglecting caregiver well-being, potentially worsening burnout, critical to avoid in supporting caregivers of Alzheimer’s clients with high care demands.

Choice B reason: Suggesting antipsychotics for the client addresses behavior but not caregiver stress, and is inappropriate without medical evaluation. Daycare provides relief. Assuming medication is the solution risks unnecessary drug use, potentially causing side effects, critical to avoid in supporting caregiver health and client safety.

Choice C reason: Allowing the client time alone is unsafe for Alzheimer’s patients due to wandering risks and does not relieve caregiver stress. Daycare is effective. Assuming alone time helps risks client safety and caregiver burden, critical to prevent in ensuring comprehensive care for Alzheimer’s clients and caregivers.

Choice D reason: Assisting with a daycare program provides respite, reducing caregiver stress and preventing burnout while ensuring client safety. This intervention supports caregiver well-being, critical for sustained care quality, promoting mental health, and enabling effective management of Alzheimer’s disease in home settings with high care demands.