A nurse is attending a quality improvement meeting. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first when initiating a quality improvement program to address health care-associated infections?

A) Assist in checking a unit of packed RBCS to administer to a client:

Assisting in checking a unit of packed red blood cells (RBCs) for transfusion is within the nurse's scope of practice. Nurses are responsible for verifying blood products before administration, ensuring compatibility, proper labeling, and appropriate handling to prevent transfusion reactions.

B) Regulate the client's infusion pump after initiating a heparin drip infusion:

Regulating the client's infusion pump after initiating a heparin drip infusion falls within the nurse's scope of practice. Nurses commonly administer and monitor intravenous medications, including heparin drips, and are responsible for regulating the infusion pump to deliver the medication at the prescribed rate.

C) Teach a client about hemodialysis:

Teaching a client about hemodialysis is within the nurse's scope of practice. Patient education is a fundamental aspect of nursing care, and nurses often provide information to clients and their families about various healthcare procedures, treatments, and self-care management, including hemodialysis.

D) Create a plan of care for a client's discharge:

Creating a plan of care for a client's discharge is within the nurse's scope of practice. Nurses are involved in discharge planning, which includes coordinating with the healthcare team, assessing the client's needs, providing education about post-discharge care, arranging follow-up appointments, and ensuring a smooth transition to the next level of care or home.

A) Send the client for the test with the unsigned form:

This option is not appropriate because performing an invasive procedure without obtaining informed consent from the client violates ethical and legal principles. Proceeding without proper consent could lead to legal and ethical repercussions, and it is not considered a safe or acceptable practice.

B) Wake the client and ask them to sign the form:

Waking the client who has received a sedative to obtain their signature on the consent form is not advisable. The client may still be under the influence of the sedative, which could impair their ability to understand the information provided and make an informed decision. Additionally, obtaining consent in this manner may not be legally valid and could compromise the client's autonomy and rights.

C) Obtain consent from a family member:

While obtaining consent from a family member might seem like a reasonable option, it is not appropriate in this scenario without clear documentation of the client's inability to provide consent. Consent for medical procedures should ideally be obtained directly from the competent adult client unless they are incapacitated or unable to make decisions. In this case, the client is asleep due to the sedative, but there is no indication that they are incapable of providing consent. Therefore, relying on a family member's consent without attempting to obtain it from the client first may not be ethically or legally justified.

D) Inform the charge nurse:

This is the most appropriate action to take initially. Informing the charge nurse allows for consultation and guidance on how to proceed in this situation. The charge nurse may advise on the appropriate steps to follow, such as contacting the provider or waiting for the client to regain consciousness to obtain informed consent. It ensures that the situation is addressed promptly and in accordance with institutional policies and ethical standards.