A nurse is caring for a client who has an endotracheal tube (ET) and is on mechanical ventilation. Which of the following actions should the nurse take for a ventilator alarm due to an increase in peak airway pressure? (Select all that apply.)

Rationale:

A. Consult the pharmacist about potential interactions between the client's regular medications and warfarin: Warfarin has numerous drug interactions that can increase bleeding risk or reduce effectiveness. Consulting the pharmacist ensures a thorough review of the client’s medication list for potential harmful interactions before discharge.

B. Tell the client they can continue to drink cranberry juice while taking warfarin: Cranberry juice can potentiate the effects of warfarin and increase bleeding risk by interfering with its metabolism. Clients should be advised to limit or avoid cranberry products.

C. Recommend the client take warfarin at the same time as other medications: Warfarin should be taken at the same time each day, but taking it with other medications may cause interactions. The timing should consider spacing it from medications that might interfere with absorption or potency.

D. Advise the client that over-the-counter medications remain safe to consume as needed: Many OTC medications, especially NSAIDs, can increase bleeding risk when combined with warfarin. Clients need to check with a healthcare provider before taking any new OTC drugs.

Rationale:

A. The person holding financial power of attorney will make health care decisions based on the client's advance directives: A financial power of attorney manages financial matters, not health care decisions. A separate designation such as a health care proxy or medical power of attorney is needed for making medical decisions.

B. The client has the right to refuse medical treatment, even if health care providers recommend it: Under the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA), clients have the legal right to make autonomous decisions about their care, including the right to refuse or discontinue treatment, regardless of medical advice.

C. The client's eldest adult child has the right to change advance directives in an end-of-life situation: Advance directives reflect the client’s own decisions. No family member, regardless of birth order, has the legal authority to change them unless specifically authorized as a health care proxy and even then, only if the client is incapacitated.

D. If the client's advance directives are in writing and notarized, the client cannot change it in the future: Clients can revise or revoke advance directives at any time, as long as they remain mentally competent. Notarization does not make the document legally fixed or unchangeable.