A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for diltiazem. The nurse measures the client's vital signs and notes that the client's apical heart rate is 49/min. The nurse should prepare to administer which of the following medications?

A. Check the client's distal pulses in both legs:

Checking the client's distal pulses in both legs is crucial to ensure that there is adequate blood flow and no signs of arterial occlusion or complications from the catheterization. This is an important assessment to detect potential vascular complications, such as a hematoma or an arterial blockage.

B. Keep the client overnight:

Keeping the client overnight is not typically required for all cardiac catheterization procedures. The need for an overnight stay depends on the individual case and any complications or comorbidities. Routine catheterizations often allow for discharge on the same day with appropriate monitoring.

C. Keep the client on bed rest for 12 hr:

Keeping the client on bed rest for 12 hours is excessive. Typically, bed rest is required for 2 to 6 hours following the procedure to allow the puncture site to stabilize and reduce the risk of bleeding. The exact duration of bed rest depends on the approach used and the patient's condition.

D. Restrict the client's oral fluids:

Restricting the client's oral fluids is generally not appropriate. In fact, increasing fluid intake is often encouraged to help flush out the contrast dye used during the procedure and to prevent renal complications. Monitoring for fluid balance is important, but outright restriction is not typically indicated unless there is a specific medical reason.

(A) Correctly identify clients prior to administering medications: This is a key goal of the National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs). Correctly identifying patients before administering medications helps to prevent medication errors and ensures patient safety.

(B) Educate clients about health promotion and prevention: While this is an important aspect of nursing care, it is not specifically listed as a National Patient Safety Goal.

(c) Prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections in clients: Preventing healthcare-associated infections, including catheter-associated urinary tract infections, is a major focus of the NPSGs.

(D) Improve communication among staff members: Effective communication among healthcare providers is crucial for patient safety and is a key goal of the NPSGs.

(E) Increase job satisfaction for staff members: While job satisfaction can indirectly impact patient safety, it is not a specific goal of the NPSGs. The NPSGs are primarily focused on direct measures to improve patient safety.