A nurse is attending a social event when another guest coughs weakly once, grasps his throat with his hands, and cannot talk. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A reason: Explaining the procedure, risks, and benefits

Explaining the surgical procedure, including its risks and benefits, is primarily the responsibility of the surgeon. This is because the surgeon has the detailed knowledge and expertise regarding the specific procedure and can provide comprehensive information to the patient. The nurse’s role in this context is to support the patient by clarifying any information provided by the surgeon and ensuring that the patient understands the instructions. Nurses can also address any immediate concerns or questions the patient might have, but the detailed explanation of the procedure itself is outside their scope of practice.

Choice B reason: Reviewing preoperative instructions

Reviewing preoperative instructions is within the nurse’s responsibilities. Nurses play a crucial role in ensuring that patients understand and follow preoperative instructions, which may include fasting guidelines, medication adjustments, and other preparatory steps. This helps to minimize surgical risks and ensures that the patient is adequately prepared for the procedure. By reviewing these instructions, nurses help to reinforce the information provided by the surgical team and ensure patient compliance.

Choice C reason: Obtaining test results

Obtaining and reviewing test results is also within the nurse’s scope of practice. Nurses are responsible for ensuring that all necessary preoperative tests have been completed and that the results are available for the surgical team. This includes coordinating with the laboratory and other departments to obtain timely results and reviewing them to identify any potential issues that need to be addressed before surgery. This step is critical in ensuring patient safety and readiness for the procedure.

Choice D reason: Ensuring that a signed surgical consent form was completed

Ensuring that a signed surgical consent form is completed is a shared responsibility between the nurse and the surgeon. While the surgeon is responsible for obtaining informed consent by explaining the procedure, risks, and benefits, the nurse’s role is to verify that the consent form has been signed and documented appropriately. This verification process is crucial to ensure that the patient has given informed consent before proceeding with the surgery.

Choice E reason: Assessing the current health status of the client

Assessing the current health status of the client is a fundamental responsibility of the nurse. This involves conducting a thorough health assessment, including taking vital signs, reviewing the patient’s medical history, and identifying any potential risks or concerns that may affect the surgery. This assessment helps to establish a baseline for the patient’s condition and ensures that any necessary precautions are taken to promote a safe surgical outcome.

Choice A: Wash raw carrots before cooking

Reason: Washing raw vegetables, including carrots, before cooking is essential to remove dirt, bacteria, and pesticide residues. However, this option is not specific to preventing foodborne illnesses. Washing vegetables is a general hygiene practice, but it does not address the broader aspects of food safety, such as preventing cross-contamination or ensuring proper cooking temperatures. Therefore, while important, it is not the most critical instruction for preventing foodborne illnesses in this context.

Choice B: Separate raw foods from ready-to-eat foods

Reason: Separating raw foods from ready-to-eat foods is crucial to prevent cross-contamination. Raw foods, especially meats, poultry, and seafood, can harbor harmful bacteria that can transfer to ready-to-eat foods if not kept separate. This separation should be maintained during storage, preparation, and cooking. For example, raw meat should be stored on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator to prevent juices from dripping onto other foods. Using separate cutting boards and utensils for raw and ready-to-eat foods further minimizes the risk of cross-contamination.

Choice C: Wash utensils with warm water

Reason: While washing utensils with warm water is a good practice, it is not sufficient on its own to ensure food safety. Utensils that have come into contact with raw meat, poultry, or seafood should be washed with hot, soapy water and sanitized to kill any harmful bacteria. Simply using warm water may not effectively remove or kill bacteria, making this option less critical compared to others that directly address foodborne illness prevention.

Choice D: Practice good hand washing after handling raw eggs, meat, or poultry

Reason: Practicing good hand washing after handling raw eggs, meat, or poultry is one of the most effective ways to prevent foodborne illnesses. Hands can easily transfer bacteria from raw foods to other surfaces, utensils, and foods. Proper hand washing involves scrubbing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, ensuring all parts of the hands are cleaned. This practice helps to eliminate harmful bacteria and reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

Choice E: Ensure all food is cooked to 165°F. Promptly refrigerate foods when finished eating

Reason: Cooking food to the proper internal temperature is essential to kill harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses. For most foods, an internal temperature of 165°F (73.9°C) is recommended to ensure safety. Using a food thermometer to check the temperature is the best way to ensure food is cooked thoroughly. Additionally, promptly refrigerating foods after eating helps to prevent bacterial growth. Bacteria can multiply rapidly at room temperature, so refrigerating leftovers within two hours (or one hour if the temperature is above 90°F) is crucial for food safety.