The healthcare provider prescribes a 24-hour urine specimen to be collected for creatinine clearance. The client is eager to go home and tells the nurse that the first sample was put in the urinal 2 hours ago. Which action should the nurse implement?

Choice A reason: Removing the nasal cannula is not appropriate as it would deprive the client of supplemental oxygen. The client's oxygen saturation is below the normal range of 95% to 100%, indicating hypoxemia.

Choice B reason:While increasing oxygen might seem appropriate, this should only be done after verifying the accuracy of the pulse oximeter reading and assessing the client’s overall condition. Automatically increasing oxygen without further assessment could delay addressing other underlying issues or lead to over-oxygenation in clients with certain conditions like COPD.

Choice C reason:The first step is to ensure the accuracy of the pulse oximeter reading by checking its placement and ruling out factors that can interfere with accurate readings, such as poor circulation, cold extremities, nail polish, or motion artifacts. This ensures that the subsequent intervention is based on reliable data.

Choice D reason: Switching to a non-rebreather mask is not necessary as it would deliver a high concentration of oxygen (up to 100%) that may be excessive for the client. A nasal cannula can deliver oxygen from 1 to 6 L/minute, depending on the client's needs.

Choice A reason: Giving positive feedback to the PN and documenting the skill competency is not the appropriate action to take. The PN did not demonstrate proper sterile technique, as he touched the outside of the sterile glove package and the sterile sponges with his bare hands, contaminating them.

Choice B reason: Explaining to the PN that the sterile sponges are not needed for the procedure is not the relevant action to take. The PN may have been following the instructions of the healthcare provider, who may have requested the sponges for the procedure. The issue is not the need for the sponges, but the way the PN handled them.

Choice C reason: Reminding the PN to wash his hands before applying the sterile gloves is not the sufficient action to take. Washing the hands is an important step in maintaining infection control, but it does not correct the mistake the PN made by touching the sterile items with his bare hands.

Choice D reason: Asking the PN to remove the gloves and sponges and start over with a new set is the best action to take. It ensures that the PN follows the correct sterile technique and does not compromise the safety of the client or the procedure. It also provides an opportunity for the charge nurse to teach the PN how to avoid contamination.