A nurse is preparing to discharge a client who had a cerebrovascular accident and has left-sided weakness. The client is having difficulty completing ADLs. Which of the following is the priority action by the nurse?

A) Ask ambulatory clients to help to move clients in wheelchairs:

While enlisting the help of ambulatory clients to assist those in wheelchairs may seem logical, it is not typically recommended as it could pose safety risks to both parties during an evacuation. Assistive personnel should be trained to prioritize their own safety and the safety of others during evacuation procedures, following established protocols for assisting clients with mobility impairments.

B) Place dry towels around the bases of doors:

Placing dry towels around the bases of doors is a recommended fire evacuation procedure to prevent smoke from entering the room. This action helps create a barrier to smoke inhalation and can buy time for evacuation or rescue efforts. It is important to use dry towels or clothing to avoid fueling the fire and to minimize the passage of smoke.

C) Carry bedridden clients to safety by lifting them onto your back:

Carrying bedridden clients on one's back during a fire evacuation is not a safe or feasible method, especially for assistive personnel who may not have the physical strength or training to perform such tasks. Evacuating bedridden clients should be done using appropriate evacuation equipment such as evacuation sleds or sheets, following facility protocols and guidelines.

D) Aim the extinguisher at the top of the fire:

While using a fire extinguisher is an important aspect of fire safety training, aiming the extinguisher at the top of the fire is not always the correct approach. The appropriate technique for using a fire extinguisher depends on the type of fire and the specific instructions provided with the extinguisher. It is essential for assistive personnel to receive proper training on fire extinguisher use and to follow established procedures during emergencies.

A) Select the appropriate dressing:

Choosing the appropriate dressing is an essential step in the process of changing a wound dressing. However, before selecting a dressing, the nurse should first review the available dressing types to ensure that the choice is based on a comprehensive understanding of the client's wound characteristics, such as size, depth, exudate level, and presence of infection. Jumping straight to selecting a dressing without reviewing available options may result in choosing an inadequate or inappropriate dressing for the client's specific wound care needs.

B) Review available dressing types:

This is the most appropriate initial step in the process of changing a wound dressing. Before proceeding with the dressing change, the nurse should assess the client's wound and review the available dressing types to determine which one is most suitable. Factors to consider include the wound's characteristics, such as size, depth, and exudate level, as well as any specific requirements based on the stage of the pressure ulcer and the client's overall condition. Reviewing available dressing types ensures that the nurse makes an informed decision and selects the most appropriate dressing for promoting wound healing and preventing complications.

C) Document the dressing change:

Documentation is an essential aspect of wound care, as it provides a record of the client's progress, the interventions performed, and the client's response to treatment. While documenting the dressing change is important, it should occur after the dressing change itself. Documenting before completing the dressing change could lead to incomplete or inaccurate documentation, as the nurse may need to record details about the wound's appearance, the type of dressing used, and any observations made during the procedure.

D) Change the dressing:

Changing the dressing is a necessary step in the wound care process, but it should not be the first action taken without assessing the wound and reviewing available dressing options. Proceeding directly to changing the dressing without considering the client's specific wound care needs and available dressing types may result in suboptimal wound management and compromise the client's healing process.