A nurse is caring for a client who requires airborne precautions. The nurse is preparing to leave the client's room following a dressing change. Which of the following pieces of personal protective equipment should the nurse remove first?

A. Social worker:

While social workers play a crucial role in addressing various aspects of a patient's well-being, such as psychosocial needs and support systems, they may not be the primary healthcare team member to address the specific issue of a client with severe rheumatoid arthritis being unable to feed herself.

B. Physician assistant:

Physician assistants are medical professionals who work under the supervision of a physician. While they contribute to the overall care of the patient, they may not be the primary specialist for addressing the functional limitations and specific needs associated with severe rheumatoid arthritis.

C. Physical therapist:

Physical therapists primarily focus on physical rehabilitation, movement, and mobility. While they may be involved in the overall care plan for a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, the specific issue of hand function and activities of daily living, such as feeding, is more directly addressed by occupational therapists.

D. Occupational therapist:

The correct choice. Occupational therapists specialize in helping individuals regain or improve their ability to perform daily activities, such as feeding, dressing, and grooming. In the case of severe rheumatoid arthritis affecting the hands, an occupational therapist can work with the client to develop strategies, adaptive equipment, and exercises to enhance hand function and promote independence in activities of daily living.

A. Request that another nurse check the client's BP in 30 min:

Waiting for 30 minutes to have another nurse check the blood pressure may not be the most immediate and effective action. If there are concerns about the accuracy of the reading, rechecking the BP in the other arm promptly is a more appropriate and efficient approach.

B. Reposition the client supine and recheck her BP:

Repositioning the client supine is not necessary in this context. Blood pressure can be accurately measured while the client is sitting. Changing the position might not provide relevant information about the accuracy of the blood pressure reading.

C. Recheck the client's BP in her other arm for comparison:

This is the appropriate action. Checking the blood pressure in the other arm can help determine if there is a significant difference between the arms. A significant difference could indicate arterial disease or other issues. It's essential to confirm the accuracy of the blood pressure measurement.

D. Ensure that the width of the BP cuff is 50% of the client's upper arm circumference:

While ensuring the appropriate size of the BP cuff is essential for accurate readings, this option is not directly addressing the current situation of an elevated blood pressure reading. Checking the other arm for comparison is more relevant to assess the accuracy of the measurement.