A nurse is caring for a client who has a newly created colostomy. The client's partner tells the nurse that the client refuses to look at the stoma. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Rationale:

A. "You should avoid vaginal spermicides while breastfeeding.": Vaginal spermicides are generally considered safe during breastfeeding. They do not contain hormones and do not affect milk production, so avoidance is not typically necessary unless the client has specific contraindications.

B. "The lactation amenorrhea method is effective for your first year postpartum.": This method is only effective during the first 6 months postpartum, provided the mother is exclusively breastfeeding and menstruation has not resumed. Beyond that period, the risk of ovulation increases and it becomes unreliable.

C. "Place the transdermal birth control patch on your upper outer arm.": The patch can be applied to several sites, including the upper outer arm, abdomen, buttock, or upper torso. This is an appropriate instruction and part of standard patient teaching for transdermal contraceptive use.

D. "You can continue to use the diaphragm you used before your pregnancy.": The diaphragm often requires refitting postpartum due to changes in vaginal tone and cervix position. Using the same diaphragm without evaluation could reduce effectiveness and increase risk of unintended pregnancy.

Rationale:

A. Compare a list of common medications to treat a condition to the actual prescriptions: This approach does not meet the definition of medication reconciliation, which focuses on comparing the client’s actual prior medications to new orders to prevent errors.

B. Compare the prescription to the allergy history of the client: While this is an important safety check, it is not the primary purpose of medication reconciliation. Allergy review is a separate step done for every prescribed medication, not specifically during reconciliation.

C. Compare the medication label to the provider's prescription on three occasions before administration: This is part of the "three checks" of medication administration to ensure accuracy and safety, but it is unrelated to the reconciliation process that occurs during admission, transfer, or discharge.

D. Compare the client's list of home medications to the admission prescriptions written for the client: This is the central process in medication reconciliation. It ensures continuity of care, prevents omissions, duplications, or interactions, and identifies changes that need clarification.