A nurse is caring for a client who is pregnant.

Exhibit 1

Nurses' Notes

1000:

The client reports repeated episodes of vomiting and two episodes of diarrhea in past 24 hr. Client is at 18 weeks of gestation and reports a history of nausea and vomiting for the past 12 weeks.

1015:

IV fluids initiated. Prochlorperazine administered via intermittent IV bolus.

1100:

Client reports improvement in nausea. Ice chips provided. Client voided 50 mL of dark yellow urine.

1500:

Client tolerating fluids well. Ate four graham crackers without emesis. Has voided 300 mL of amber-colored urine.

Exhibit 2

Vital Signs

1000:

Temperature 36.8° C(98.2° F)

Heart rate 112/min

Respiratory rate 20/min

Blood pressure 100/65 mm Hg

SaO 97% on room air

1200:

Temperature 37° C(98.6° F)

Heart rate 102/min

Respiratory rate 20/min

Blood pressure 104/70 mm Hg

SaO2 98% on room air

1500:

Temperature 36.8° C(98.2° F)

Heart rate 90/min

Respiratory rate 18/min

Blood pressure 110/72 mm Hg

SaO2 97% on room air

For each discharge instruction, specify if each action is recommended or contraindicated for the client.

Choice A reason:

"Repeat the dose if your child vomits within 1 hour after taking the medication." This statement is incorrect. If a child vomits within 1 hour after taking digoxin, the parents should not repeat the dose. The reason is that the child may have already absorbed a sufficient amount of the medication before vomiting, and an additional dose could lead to digoxin toxicity.

Choice B reason:

"You can add the medication to a half-cup of your child's favourite juice." This statement is incorrect. Adding digoxin to juice or any other food or drink is not recommended. Digoxin should be administered separately and not mixed with food or liquids to ensure accurate dosing and prevent potential interactions with other substances.

Choice C reason:

"Have your child drink a small glass of water after swallowing the medication." This statement is correct. Giving a small glass of water after administering digoxin helps ensure that the medication is fully swallowed and goes into the stomach, reducing the risk of it being retained in the mouth or throat.

Choice D reason:

"Limit your child's potassium intake while she is taking this medication." This statement is not accurate. Digoxin is often prescribed in conjunction with other heart failure medications, some of which may impact potassium levels. However, the parents should not arbitrarily limit the child's potassium intake without specific instructions from the healthcare provider. The healthcare provider will monitor the child's potassium levels and adjust the treatment plan as necessary.

Choice A reason

Ensuring that the client's family supports the provider's decision for surgery is not an appropriate action. While family support is essential in the decision-making process, the primary responsibility lies with the client's health care surrogate or designated decision-maker. The family's support is not a substitute for obtaining informed consent from the designated decision-maker.

Choice B reason

Sending the unsigned informed consent form to the facility's risk manager is not appropriate action. The nurse should not send an unsigned informed consent form to the facility's risk manager. Unsigned consent forms do not have any legal significance or validity. The nurse should work with the health care surrogate to ensure that the consent form is appropriately completed and signed.

Choice C reason

Determining if the procedure is medically necessary for the client is not appropriate action. While the medical necessity of the procedure is important, the decision about the procedure's necessity should be made by the medical team and discussed with the health care surrogate. The nurse's role is to facilitate communication and ensure that the surrogate is informed and involved in the decision-making process.

Choice D reason

When a client is in a coma and unable to provide informed consent, the health care surrogate or designated decision-maker becomes responsible for making medical decisions on behalf of the client. It is essential for the nurse to ensure that the health care surrogate is aware of the situation, understands the risks and benefits of the surgical procedure, and has provided informed consent on behalf of the client.