The nurse begins discharge planning for an older adult with left-side weakness. Which action is most important in ensuring that the discharge plan is successful?

A. Temperature and bowel sounds are measurable, making them objective data rather than subjective.

B. These symptoms cannot be measured or observed by the nurse; they are based on the patient's personal experience, making them subjective data.

C. While the cough is subjective, the respiratory rate is measurable and therefore objective. Since the option includes both types of data, it is not the best answer.

D. White blood cell count is objective. Pain rating is subjective, but since this option includes both types of data, it is not the best choice.

A. Direct the nursing assistive personnel to give the acetaminophen. This is incorrect because administering medication is outside the scope of practice for nursing assistive personnel. Only licensed nurses are authorized to administer medications.

B. Perform a pain assessment only after administering the acetaminophen. This is incorrect because a pain assessment should be conducted before administering a PRN medication to determine the severity and characteristics of the pain.

C. Notify the health care provider to obtain a verbal order. This is incorrect because the medication is already included in the standing orders. There is no need to obtain a verbal order when the medication has already been prescribed with specific administration parameters.

D. Administer the acetaminophen. This is correct because the nurse has assessed the patient’s need for pain relief, confirmed that the patient has not received the medication in the past four hours, and verified that it falls within the provider’s orders. Since all criteria are met, the nurse should proceed with administering the medication as prescribed.