A nurse is preparing to administer an oral opioid analgesic to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when handling an unused portion of the medication after administration?

The correct answer is Choice A.

Choice A rationale: Administering enoxaparin 40 mg subcutaneously in the deltoid site is incorrect. Enoxaparin is typically administered in the abdomen or thigh to ensure proper absorption and minimize the risk of injury. Administering it in the deltoid requires an incident report for protocol deviation.

Choice B rationale: Advancing the urinary catheter 18 cm (7 in) is standard practice for male clients to ensure the catheter reaches the bladder. There is no indication of error or the need for an incident report as this action follows proper procedure.

Choice C rationale: Cleansing a wound with 0.99% sodium chloride irrigation prior to collecting a specimen for culture is standard practice. This action ensures the wound is free from surface contaminants and does not necessitate an incident report.

Choice D rationale: Flushing the tubing of a continuous enteral feeding with 30 mL of water is standard practice to maintain patency and ensure the effectiveness of the feeding. This procedure follows guidelines and does not require an incident report.

Choice A rationale:

Performing oral care once each day is not sufficient to reduce the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Ventilated patients are at an increased risk of developing VAP due to the presence of an endotracheal tube that bypasses the body's natural defenses. Bacteria can accumulate in the mouth and respiratory tract, leading to pneumonia. Therefore, performing oral care only once a day is inadequate for maintaining oral hygiene and preventing VAP.

Choice B rationale:

Brushing the client's teeth with a firm-bristle toothbrush can cause trauma to the oral tissues, potentially leading to bleeding and irritation. In critically ill patients with an endotracheal tube, using a firm-bristle toothbrush can exacerbate the risk of infection and VAP. It is essential to use gentle and non-traumatic methods for oral care to maintain the integrity of the oral mucosa.

Choice C rationale:

Swabbing the client's mouth with chlorhexidine solution is the correct choice. Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic solution that effectively reduces the growth of bacteria in the oral cavity. Regular use of chlorhexidine mouthwash has been shown to decrease the risk of VAP in mechanically ventilated patients. By reducing the bacterial load in the mouth, the risk of aspiration and subsequent pneumonia is lowered, making it a crucial intervention for preventing VAP.

Choice D rationale:

Raising the head of the bed by 15° for oral care is an important measure to prevent aspiration during oral care. However, it alone is not sufficient to reduce the risk of VAP. While proper head positioning helps prevent the entry of oral secretions into the lower respiratory tract, it must be combined with effective oral hygiene practices, such as using chlorhexidine solution, to comprehensively reduce the risk of VAP.