A nurse manager is planning an in-service for a group of nurses about caring for clients following stem cell transplants. Which of the following instructions should the nurse manager include in the teaching?

Choice A rationale:

The age of the client might influence the care plan and potential complications, but it's not the primary factor for evaluating cost effectiveness. Cost efficiency is more directly related to the resources utilized during the client's stay.

Choice B rationale:

The availability of community support groups contributes to the client's psychosocial well-being and support network, but it doesn't directly assist in evaluating the cost effectiveness of care. This factor focuses more on the quality of life after discharge.

Choice C rationale:

This is the correct choice. The length of the client's stay directly impacts the cost of care. A longer stay involves more resources, medications, and services, leading to increased costs. Evaluating and optimizing the length of stay is a critical aspect of cost-effective care.

Choice D rationale:

The type of insurance the client carries affects their financial responsibility for the care received, but it's not the main consideration for evaluating cost effectiveness. It primarily influences the patient's out-of-pocket expenses rather than the overall cost of care.

Choice A rationale:

The nurse should not include the client's dressing change schedule in the verbal report when transferring care to the medical-surgical unit. While this information is important for the client's care, it is not a priority for the receiving unit to know during the immediate transfer. Dressing change schedules can vary based on the type of surgery and wound healing progress, and the medical-surgical unit will focus on the client's overall condition.

Choice B rationale:

The client's level of consciousness is a critical piece of information to include in the verbal report when transferring care. Changes in level of consciousness can indicate neurological deterioration or potential complications, especially after a major surgery like open heart surgery. This information helps the receiving nurses monitor the client's condition closely and respond appropriately if any deterioration occurs.

Choice C rationale:

While reporting the client's vital signs from the previous shift is important, it might not be the most relevant information during the immediate transfer from the postoperative unit to the medical-surgical unit. Vital signs can change rapidly, and the receiving nurses will assess the client's current vital signs upon arrival. Therefore, this information is not the priority for the verbal report.

Choice D rationale:

The client's occupation is not a critical piece of information to include in the verbal report during a transfer from the postoperative unit to the medical-surgical unit. The primary focus of the transfer report should be on the client's immediate postoperative condition, potential complications, and any other information directly related to their current medical status.