A nurse is caring for an adolescent who requests screening for sexually transmitted infections (STI). The client asks the nurse. "Do you have to tell my parents?" How should the nurse respond to the adolescent?

Rationale:

• Contact the provider for an antibiotic prescription: Contacting the provider ensures the client receives prompt intervention for a likely surgical site infection. The wound is inflamed and draining yellow pus, and the client has a fever and leukocytosis. Early treatment can prevent the progression to severe sepsis.

• Increase the volume on the television: Increasing the volume on the television can heighten sensory overload and worsen the client’s confusion. Delirium management involves reducing noise and visual stimuli, not adding to it. This approach does not promote orientation or calmness.

• Ask the client's partner to leave the room: Asking the client's partner to leave may remove a critical source of comfort and familiarity. Familiar people help reorient clients with delirium or confusion. Their presence often reduces agitation and promotes emotional security.

• Dim the lights: Dimming the lights reduces environmental overstimulation that may worsen delirium. The client is experiencing hallucinations and disorientation, which are often intensified in bright ICU settings. A calm setting supports cognitive clarity and comfort.

• Assist with elimination: Assisting with elimination is appropriate if the client shows signs of distress or discomfort. However, this need is not emergent compared to infection and altered mental status. Treating the underlying cause of delirium should take precedence.

• Place the client in 4-point restraints: Placing the client in 4-point restraints is a last resort when other safety measures fail. Restraints can escalate agitation and lead to injury or trauma. Delirium should be managed first with environmental and medical interventions.

Rationale:

A. Thoroughly explain each procedure to the toddler: Toddlers have limited cognitive ability to understand detailed explanations. Overexplaining may cause anxiety rather than reassurance, especially if unfamiliar medical terms are used.

B. Allow the toddler to handle the equipment: Allowing the toddler to touch and explore safe medical equipment, like a stethoscope, helps reduce fear and builds trust. This play-based approach fosters cooperation and makes the exam less intimidating.

C. Completely undress the toddler: Toddlers can feel vulnerable when fully undressed. It is more appropriate to remove clothing gradually, only as needed for each part of the examination, to ensure comfort and security.

D. Start the examination with routine immunizations: Beginning with painful procedures like injections can create fear and resistance, making the rest of the exam more difficult. Immunizations should be done at the end of the visit.