An older adult is brought to the clinic by the oldest adult child who found the client lying on the floor at home conscious, but unable to get up by themself. The client is unable to recall what happened. Which action should the nurse take first?

A. Debriding agents are used to remove necrotic or non-viable tissue from a wound. While debridement can be necessary if there is evidence of necrotic tissue or eschar, the presence of thick tan exudate alone does not necessarily indicate that debridement is needed.
B. Steri-strips are used to support wound closure and can be applied to wounds with approximated edges. However, in the case of a wound healing by secondary intention (where the edges are not brought together but heal from the inside out), steri-strips are not typically used. This action is not relevant if the wound is healing by secondary intention and if there is a thick exudate present.
C. Obtaining a wound culture is important if there is a suspicion of infection, especially if there is a change in the character of the exudate, increased redness, swelling, or other signs of infection. A thick tan exudate might be indicative of an infection or could be a normal part of the healing process
D. Removing sutures in a wound that is healing by secondary intention is not appropriate as it could disrupt the healing process and potentially lead to complications. Sutures are typically removed when the wound is healing by primary intention and the edges are approximated.

A. This is a critical first step when a medication dose discrepancy is identified. Reporting the mismatch alerts the appropriate personnel (such as the pharmacy or healthcare provider) to investigate and resolve the issue. This ensures that the correct dose is administered and helps prevent potential medication errors.
B. While calculating the dose on hand is important to ensure accurate dosing, this action should be secondary to reporting the issue first. Calculating the dose is part of the process to verify and adjust the dose if needed, but the primary concern is to report the discrepancy to get it addressed properly and safely.
C. Asking the pharmacist for a different dose is a valid action, but it should come after reporting the discrepancy. The pharmacist can provide guidance on whether a different dose can be dispensed and help clarify any issues with the medication.
D. Withholding the medication is an appropriate precaution if there is uncertainty about the dose, but it is not the first action to take. This step should follow the initial reporting of the discrepancy to ensure that the medication is correct and safe to administer.