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) Contact the nurse from the previous shift to report the doubled dose:

While it may be appropriate to communicate with the nurse from the previous shift to gather information about the medication administration, contacting them solely to report the doubled dose may not be the most effective action. The priority is to ensure appropriate documentation of the incident and take necessary steps to address it.

B) Document the doubled dose in the client's medical record:

Documenting the doubled dose in the client's medical record is essential for accurate and transparent documentation of the incident. This documentation should include details such as the medication, dosage, time of administration, and any actions taken in response to the error. It ensures that all members of the healthcare team are aware of what occurred and facilitates appropriate follow-up and monitoring.

C) Place a copy of the incident report in the client's record:

While completing an incident report is necessary to formally document the medication error and initiate an investigation, simply placing a copy of the report in the client's record may not be sufficient. The incident report typically serves as an internal document used for quality improvement purposes and may not be part of the client's official medical record.

D) Report the incident to the manager of the pharmacy:

Reporting the incident to the manager of the pharmacy may be appropriate for addressing potential medication dispensing errors or system issues but may not be the immediate action required when a medication error occurs at the administration stage. The first priority is to ensure accurate documentation of the error in the client's medical record.

Answer: C

Rationale:

C) "It sounds like you have concerns about the procedure."
This response is therapeutic and encourages the client to express their concerns, allowing the nurse to understand the client's feelings without judgment. It opens up a supportive dialogue where the client can discuss their fears, anxieties, or misconceptions about the colostomy, which can then be addressed appropriately.

A) "Why have you decided not to have the procedure?"
This response can come across as confrontational and might make the client feel defensive or pressured to justify their decision, which is not conducive to a therapeutic conversation.

B) "Don't worry. You will adjust to the colostomy quickly."
This statement dismisses the client's current feelings and concerns. Telling the client not to worry minimizes their emotional experience and may make them feel misunderstood or invalidated.

D) "Do you think that's the right decision for you and your family?"
This response introduces external pressure by involving the family and shifts the focus away from the client’s personal feelings and autonomy, which could increase their anxiety about making a decision.