A nurse on a postpartum unit is caring for a client.

Exhibits

For each finding, click to specify if the finding increases the client's risk for uterine atony or infection.

Rationale for correct choices:

• Insert a large-bore IV catheter: A large-bore IV (18–20 gauge) is necessary to allow rapid administration of blood products and reduce hemolysis of red blood cells during transfusion. This ensures safe and effective delivery of the blood components.
• Witness the client signing a consent for transfusion: Informed consent is required before initiating a blood transfusion. The nurse ensures that the client understands the purpose, risks, and potential complications, and witnesses the signing to meet legal and ethical standards.
• Have a second nurse confirm the information on the blood lab: Verifying the blood type, crossmatch, and client identifiers with a second nurse reduces the risk of transfusion errors and ensures patient safety before starting the transfusion.

Rationale for incorrect choices:

• Explain to the client that transfusion reactions are not serious: Transfusion reactions can be serious, including hemolytic reactions, febrile reactions, or allergic responses. The nurse should educate the client on the potential risks and signs of a reaction rather than minimizing them.
• Flush the transfusion tubing with dextrose 5% in water: Blood products should only be administered with 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline). Flushing with dextrose or other solutions can cause hemolysis and compromise the safety of the transfusion.

Rationale:

A. Educate clients who are at risk for Parkinson's disease about maintaining a low-cholesterol diet: This is an example of primary prevention, aimed at reducing risk factors before the onset of disease, rather than tertiary prevention.

B. Provide daily exercise classes to improve ambulation for patients who have Parkinson's disease: Tertiary prevention focuses on managing disease, minimizing complications, and improving quality of life for those already diagnosed. Exercise programs help maintain mobility and prevent further functional decline.

C. Educate clients about common techniques used to diagnose Parkinson's disease: Teaching about diagnostic techniques is related to secondary prevention, which focuses on early detection and timely intervention.

D. Provide screenings for community members to identify early manifestations of Parkinson's disease: Screening is a secondary prevention strategy intended to detect disease early in asymptomatic individuals, not tertiary prevention.