A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing profuse vomiting.

Upon admission, the client's vital signs were within the expected reference range, but now the client's blood pressure is 86/58 mm Hg, his pulse is 114/min and weak, and his respiratory rate is 27/min.

The client appears restless and anxious and states that he thinks he is dying.

Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Choice A rationale

Obtaining a client's vital signs is a routine, non-invasive procedure that can be safely delegated to an assistive personnel (AP). The AP is trained to measure and record objective data such as temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure. The nurse is responsible for interpreting the data and assessing for any abnormal findings, but the data collection itself falls within the scope of practice for an AP. This allows the nurse to focus on more complex tasks.

Choice B rationale

Recording a client's intake after each meal is a task focused on data collection and falls within the scope of practice for an assistive personnel (AP). The AP can accurately measure and document the quantity of food and fluids consumed by the client. The nurse is then responsible for analyzing this data to monitor the client's nutritional status and fluid balance, and to identify any potential complications, such as dehydration or malnutrition. This is a routine, non-complex task.

Choice C rationale

Transferring a client is a routine activity of daily living that an assistive personnel (AP) is trained to perform. It involves moving a client safely from one location to another, such as from the bed to a chair or to physical therapy. The AP is taught proper body mechanics and client transfer techniques to prevent injury to both the client and themselves. The nurse would provide supervision and assess the client's mobility status before the transfer.

Choice D rationale

Inserting an NG tube is an invasive procedure that requires advanced knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and sterile technique. It carries a risk of complications, such as aspiration or incorrect tube placement. Therefore, this task is outside the scope of practice for an assistive personnel and must be performed by a licensed nurse or other qualified healthcare professional. The nurse is responsible for confirming tube placement and monitoring for adverse effects.

Choice E rationale

Instructing a client on the use of an incentive spirometer involves client education, which is a key component of the nursing process. The nurse must assess the client's learning needs, provide accurate and safe instructions, and evaluate the client's understanding and ability to perform the technique correctly. This cognitive and educational task requires the critical thinking skills of a licensed nurse and cannot be delegated to an assistive personnel. *.

Choice A rationale

Spina bifida is associated with a high incidence of latex allergy due to repeated surgical procedures and catheterizations. There is a documented cross-reactivity between latex proteins and certain food proteins, particularly those found in bananas, avocados, kiwis, and chestnuts. These foods share similar antigenic determinants.

Choice B rationale

Strawberries are not typically associated with latex cross-reactivity. While they can cause allergic reactions in some individuals, the proteins responsible for these allergies do not share the same antigenic structures as those found in natural rubber latex. Therefore, a latex allergy does not necessarily predict a strawberry allergy.

Choice C rationale

Almonds are a tree nut, and while tree nut allergies are common, they are not typically linked to latex cross-reactivity. The allergenic proteins in almonds, such as the major protein Amandin, are structurally different from the proteins found in natural rubber latex, minimizing the risk of a cross-reaction.

Choice D rationale

Hazelnuts, like almonds, are a type of tree nut and are not generally known for cross-reactivity with latex. The proteins that trigger hazelnut allergies do not share significant homology with the proteins in natural rubber latex, so there is no established correlation between a latex allergy and a hazelnut allergy. .