A nurse overhears two assistive personnel (AP) in the cafeteria discussing a client's care during lunch. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. The client's blood pressure was recorded at 0730 and 1130.

In a change-of-shift report, it is important to communicate vital signs, especially changes in the client's condition. Recording the blood pressure at different times during the shift helps the oncoming nurse understand the client's cardiovascular status and identify trends or potential issues.

B. The client's pain medication was administered twice during this shift:

While medication administration is important information, specifying the number of times pain medication was administered may be less relevant in a brief change-of-shift report. It's more critical to communicate the client's pain level, response to medication, or any concerns related to pain management.

C. The client's enteral feeding bag needs to be changed at 2200:

While enteral feeding is an essential aspect of care, the timing of the feeding bag change may not be as crucial in a change-of-shift report. Instead, it would be more pertinent to communicate any issues related to the client's tolerance of feeding, any changes in feeding rate, or signs of intolerance.

D. The client received a bath and backrub:

Personal care activities, such as a bath and backrub, are essential components of nursing care, but they may be less critical in a change-of-shift report unless there are specific concerns related to the client's skin condition or overall well-being. More emphasis should be placed on clinical assessments and changes in the client's condition.

A. Complete an incident report.

Reporting a needlestick injury through an incident report is crucial. It documents the details of the incident, which is important for the nurse's safety and for initiating appropriate follow-up actions.

B. Receive a hepatitis C immunization:

There is no specific hepatitis C vaccine available. While there are vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, there is currently no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. Seeking post-exposure prophylaxis and follow-up is more relevant in this case.

C. Notify the health department:

Notifying the health department might be necessary in some cases, but the immediate action for the nurse is to report the incident through an incident report within the facility. This allows for prompt internal investigation and necessary measures.

D. Start prophylactic antibiotic therapy:

Prophylactic antibiotic therapy is not the standard protocol for preventing hepatitis C transmission after a needlestick injury. Antiviral medications might be considered in certain cases for post-exposure prophylaxis for hepatitis C, but this decision should be made after consulting with a healthcare provider or infectious disease specialist based on the specific circumstances of the exposure. Reporting the incident remains the immediate priority.