A nurse is delegating care to assistive personnel. Which of the following assignments should the nurse make?

A) Notify the nurse manager:

While it's essential to involve the nurse manager in situations involving unexpected events or emergencies, the immediate priority is to assess the well-being of the fainting family member. Notifying the nurse manager can be done after ensuring the family member's immediate needs are addressed.

B) Check the family member's vital signs:

The first action the nurse should take is to assess the fainting family member's vital signs to determine their current physiological status. Checking vital signs can provide crucial information about the person's condition and guide further actions. This assessment helps ensure the family member's safety and well-being.

C) Obtain the family member's health history:

Obtaining the family member's health history is important for understanding any underlying medical conditions that may have contributed to the fainting episode. However, assessing vital signs takes precedence to address any immediate medical concerns related to the fainting episode.

D) Complete an incident report:

Completing an incident report is necessary to document the fainting episode for organizational records and quality improvement purposes. However, this task can be completed after addressing the immediate needs of the fainting family member and ensuring their safety.

A) Administer PRN haloperidol IM to the client:

Administering haloperidol is not the first-line intervention for managing behavioral disturbances in clients with dementia, especially in response to acute agitation. While antipsychotic medications like haloperidol may be prescribed in some cases, they should be used judiciously due to the risk of adverse effects, particularly in elderly clients. Additionally, administering medication should not be the first action taken without attempting non-pharmacological interventions.

B) Engage the client in a repetitive activity as a distraction:

This is the most appropriate initial intervention when dealing with an agitated client with dementia. Engaging the client in a repetitive, calming activity can help redirect their focus and reduce agitation. Simple, familiar tasks or activities tailored to the client's preferences can be effective in providing comfort and reducing distress.

C) Apply wrist restraints to the client:

Using physical restraints should be avoided unless absolutely necessary for the safety of the client or others. Restraints can cause physical and psychological harm, increase agitation, and compromise the client's dignity and autonomy. Therefore, restraint use should be a last resort and implemented only after other interventions have been attempted and deemed ineffective or when there is an imminent risk of harm.

D) Place the client in a seclusion room:

Seclusion should not be used as an initial intervention for managing agitation in clients with dementia. Seclusion can exacerbate distress and increase feelings of isolation and fear, which may escalate agitation further. It should only be considered as a last resort for managing severe agitation or aggression when all other interventions have failed and there is a risk of harm to the client or others.