A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is at 36 weeks of gestation and is about to undergo an amniocentesis.
Which of the following information should the nurse include in the instructions?

The correct answers are Choices B, C, D, and E.

Choice A rationale: Refusal of meals, especially in an infected client, is not typically incident reportable. Nurses should note this in the client record and monitor the client's nutritional intake and overall condition.

Choice B rationale: Falls are always reportable incidents. When a client falls, an incident report is required to document the event, analyze contributing factors, and implement measures to prevent future falls.

Choice C rationale: Recording an approximate urine output due to leakage from the catheter bag is a reportable incident. Accurate measurement of urine output is essential, and an incident report helps to address the cause of leakage and prevent recurrence.

Choice D rationale: Administering antibiotics before blood culture and sensitivity testing can affect test results and is a reportable incident. The incident report documents the error and helps to implement measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.

Choice E rationale: Administering medication at the wrong time is a medication administration error. An incident report should be filed to document the deviation from the prescribed schedule and address any potential impacts on the client's condition.

Choice A rationale:

Pedal pulses are a measure of peripheral circulation. A 2+ rating is considered normal, indicating a brisk, expected response. There’s no change in the client’s pedal pulses from Day 1 to Day 5, so this doesn’t require immediate follow-up.

Choice B rationale:

Oxygen saturation is not mentioned in the Nurses’ Notes, so we cannot provide a rationale for this choice.

Choice C rationale:

Breath sounds are an important indicator of respiratory health. The client’s breath sounds are clear and present throughout on both Day 1 and Day 5, which is normal and doesn’t require immediate follow-up.

Choice D rationale:

Respiratory rate is not mentioned in the Nurses’ Notes, but any significant change in respiratory rate could indicate a problem such as infection or pain, and would require immediate follow-up.

Choice E rationale:

The abdominal dressing shows a large amount of serosanguinous drainage on Day 5, compared to a small amount on Day 1. This could indicate a complication such as infection or dehiscence (separation of the wound), especially since the client reported feeling something “popped” at the incision site after coughing. This requires immediate follow-up.

Choice F rationale:

Heart rate is not mentioned in the Nurses’ Notes, but any significant change in heart rate could indicate a systemic response to factors such as pain or infection, and would require immediate follow-up. In summary, while pedal pulses and breath sounds remain normal, the change in the abdominal dressing and potential changes in respiratory rate and heart rate (though not documented here) should be addressed immediately to ensure the client’s health and recovery.