The following 4 questions pertain to this case study:

Exhibits

The post-surgical unit nurse receives the patient from the PACU. Select four priority assessments the post-surgical unit nurse should complete.

Choice A: True

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are indeed the most common type of healthcare-associated infection (HAI). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UTIs account for more than 30% of infections reported by acute care hospitals. These infections are primarily caused by the use of catheters and other instrumentation of the urinary tract, which can introduce bacteria and lead to infection. The high prevalence of UTIs in healthcare settings underscores the importance of stringent infection control practices to prevent these infections.

Choice B: False

The statement that UTIs are not the most common healthcare-associated infection is incorrect. While other types of HAIs, such as surgical site infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia, are also significant, UTIs remain the most frequently reported. The use of urinary catheters is a major risk factor, and efforts to reduce catheter use and improve catheter care are critical in preventing these infections.

The correct answer is A. Gather information on the patient’s current medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements, and vitamins. To ensure accuracy, nurses verify the medication list with the patient, family, caregivers, or community pharmacies and document the information in the patient’s EMR.

Choice A: Gather information on the patient’s current medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements, and vitamins. To ensure accuracy, nurses verify the medication list with the patient, family, caregivers, or community pharmacies and document the information in the patient’s EMR.
This choice accurately describes the comprehensive process of medication reconciliation. Nurses play a crucial role in gathering detailed information about all medications a patient is currently taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, and vitamins. This information is then verified with various sources such as the patient, their family, caregivers, or community pharmacies to ensure its accuracy. Finally, the verified information is documented in the patient’s Electronic Medical Record (EMR). This process helps prevent medication errors, ensures continuity of care, and enhances patient safety.
Choice B: Review the patient’s medication list to verify its accuracy and completeness. They also compare the list of current medications with new orders or prescriptions to detect any discrepancies or potential issues.
While this choice describes an important aspect of medication reconciliation, it is not as comprehensive as Choice A. Verifying the accuracy and completeness of the medication list and comparing it with new orders or prescriptions is a critical step in identifying discrepancies or potential issues. However, it does not encompass the initial gathering of information from various sources or the documentation process, which are essential components of medication reconciliation.
Choice C: Review the medication history provided by the patient and make changes in the medications based on the patient’s current health status. They communicate any medication changes to the patient and the healthcare team.
This choice focuses on reviewing the medication history and making changes based on the patient’s current health status. While this is an important aspect of patient care, it does not fully capture the scope of medication reconciliation. Medication reconciliation involves not only reviewing and updating medications but also gathering comprehensive information from multiple sources and ensuring accurate documentation. This choice lacks the emphasis on verification and documentation that is central to the medication reconciliation process.