A nurse is planning to administer medication to a client who has a Clostridium difficile infection. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take to prevent the transmission of this infection to others?

Choice A rationale:

"You will need to sign a consent form before we begin the procedure." Rationale: While obtaining consent is an essential part of many medical procedures, including a bladder scan, it is not specific to the teaching related to the procedure itself. It addresses the legal and ethical aspect of the procedure but doesn't instruct the client on what to expect during the procedure.

Choice B rationale:

"I will place a gel pad directly above your pubic area before I place the probe." Rationale: This is the correct choice. Placing a gel pad above the pubic area before using the probe is an important step in ensuring proper ultrasound transmission and obtaining accurate results during a bladder scan. The gel pad helps to eliminate air gaps that could interfere with the quality of the scan.

Choice C rationale:

"You will need to hold your urine for 1 hour prior to the procedure." Rationale: Holding urine for an hour before a bladder scan might be required to ensure that the bladder is adequately filled for the scan, but it doesn't address the specific preparation related to the ultrasound procedure itself.

Choice D rationale:

"You will receive a contrast dye through an IV catheter prior to the scan." Rationale: Mentioning contrast dye and IV catheter is not relevant to a bladder scan. Contrast dye is often used in imaging studies like CT scans or angiograms, but not for a routine bladder scan. Therefore, this instruction is unrelated to the procedure in question.

The correct answer is choiced. "Describe your concerns about sleeping to me.".

Choice A rationale:

While offering frequent checks can provide some reassurance, it does not address the underlying fear the client is experiencing. It is more of a practical solution rather than a therapeutic one.

Choice B rationale:

Agreeing with the client’s fear without offering a solution or support can increase their anxiety. It is important to acknowledge their feelings but also to provide comfort and reassurance.

Choice C rationale:

Offering sleeping medication might help the client fall asleep, but it does not address the root cause of their fear. It is important to understand and address the client’s concerns directly.

Choice D rationale:

Asking the client to describe their concerns is a therapeutic approach that encourages them to express their fears.This allows the nurse to understand the client’s perspective and provide appropriate emotional support.