A nurse is scheduling a client for surgery.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take to obtain precertification for the client to have surgery?

The correct answers are a. Client's hearing deficit, b. Volume of the client's television, c. Numerous visitors in the client's room, e. Adverse effects of opioid analgesic, and f. Using earphones while listening to music.

Choice A rationale: A client with hearing loss who does not wear a hearing aid may experience difficulty understanding spoken communication, especially in noisy environments, leading to potential miscommunication or misunderstanding.

Choice B rationale: Loud television volume can make it difficult for both the nurse and the client to hear each other, causing interference in their communication and potentially leading to errors in information exchange.

Choice C rationale: The presence of numerous visitors in the room can cause distractions, background noise, and overall interference with the nurse-client communication process, potentially affecting the quality and accuracy of the information exchanged.

Choice E rationale: Opioid analgesics can cause adverse effects such as drowsiness, confusion, or cognitive impairment, hindering effective communication between the nurse and the client, as the client's ability to comprehend, retain, and convey information may be impaired.

Choice F rationale: The use of earphones while listening to music can impair the client's ability to hear the nurse, creating a barrier to effective communication. This could potentially lead to missed or misunderstood information and, consequently, affect the quality of care.

Choice D rationale (Incorrect choice): While an increase in pain after ambulation could affect the client's mood, cooperation, and ability to engage in effective communication, it does not directly create a barrier to the nurse's ability to communicate with the client. Pain management is an essential aspect of postoperative care, and effective communication can actually facilitate pain assessment, management, and overall client well-being.

The correct answer is Choice A.

Choice A rationale: Using a cell phone to request assistance from the client's room ensures timely communication and enhances patient care. Quick access to help can be vital in emergency situations, ensuring prompt and effective intervention.

Choice B rationale: Sending a personal text to a co-worker during work hours is unprofessional and can lead to distractions. It can compromise patient care and violates workplace policies on personal device usage, ensuring focus remains on patient safety and care.

Choice C rationale: Calling the client's family member per their request can violate privacy and confidentiality regulations, such as HIPAA in the US. Communication with family should go through proper channels to ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards.

Choice D rationale: Taking a photo of a client's incision site for learning purposes without proper consent and documentation breaches patient confidentiality and privacy. It could also result in legal ramifications and violates institutional policies on using personal devices for work-related tasks.