A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about blood glucose monitoring. The client becomes quiet and appears distracted while the nurse is providing the instructions. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

Correct Answer: C

C. Flex hips and knees when assisting the client to a standing position.Flexing the hips and knees protects the nurse’s back by using proper body mechanics and distributes the force of lifting safely. This position provides stability and reduces the risk of injury to both the nurse and the client during the transfer.

Incorrect answers:

A: "Stand on the client's stronger side when moving the client into the chair."The nurse should stand on the weaker side, not the stronger side, to provide support and assistance where it is most needed. This ensures the client is stabilized and prevents falls or instability due to the weaker side giving way.

B: "Pivot on the foot farthest from the bed when assisting the client into the chair."The nurse should pivot on the foot closest to the chair or the bed to maintain balance and stability. Pivoting on the farthest foot could lead to poor body mechanics and an increased risk of injury to the nurse or client.

D: "Raise the bed to waist level before moving the client." For transferring a client to a chair, the bed should be lowered to a position where the client’s feet can touch the floor. This provides stability and facilitates a safe transfer.

Choice A Reason:

Have the client sign an against medical advice (AMA) form is incorrect. While this form allows patients to leave against medical advice after acknowledging the risks, it should be used after thorough discussion, ensuring the patient understands the consequences. In this case, the client is postoperative and might not have received clearance from the surgeon, so this option may not be appropriate without further assessment.

Choice B Reason:

Tell the client that the surgeon will prescribe restraints if they try to leave is incorrect. Threatening restraints is not a suitable or ethical approach. Using restraints should be a last resort for ensuring safety, especially if a patient is attempting to leave. It's crucial to communicate and engage in dialogue rather than resorting to threats or coercion.

Choice C Reason:

Explain to the client that they cannot leave until the surgeon discharges them is correct. This action prioritizes the safety and well-being of the client while also informing them of the necessary procedure before leaving the hospital. It's essential to communicate the discharge process and ensure that the client understands the potential risks of leaving without proper medical approval. This approach maintains respect for the client's autonomy while emphasizing the importance of following the medical protocol for a safe recovery.

Choice D Reason:

Administer a sedative medication to the client is incorrect. Using sedatives to prevent a patient from leaving is not ethically or medically appropriate unless there's a critical situation where the patient is a danger to themselves or others. Administering sedatives without proper justification or consent violates ethical principles and could potentially harm the patient.