The nurse is caring for four clients: Client A, who has emphysema and whose oxygen saturation is 94%; Client B, with a postoperative hemoglobin of 8.2 mg/dL (82 g/L); Client C, newly admitted with a potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L (3.8 mmol/L); and Client D, scheduled for an appendectomy who has a white blood cell (WBC) count of 14,000 mm (14 x 10^9/L). Which intervention should the nurse implement? Reference Range:. Hemoglobin [14 to 18 g/dL (140 to 180 g/L)]. Potassium [3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L)]. White Blood Cell [5000 to 10,000/mm² (5 to 10 x 10^9/L)].

Choice A rationale:

Systemic autoimmune vasculopathy is not a typical underlying disease pathology associated with a waddling gait and frequent falls in a 5-year-old child. This choice is not relevant to the symptoms described.

Choice B rationale:

Autonomic neuropathy may manifest with a variety of symptoms, including autonomic dysregulation, but it is not a common underlying pathology leading to a waddling gait and frequent falls in a child. This choice is not relevant to the symptoms described.

Choice C rationale:

Impaired neuron function can result in various neurological symptoms, but it does not specifically explain the waddling gait and frequent falls in a 5-year-old child. This choice is not relevant to the symptoms described.

Choice D rationale:

Muscle fiber degeneration is the most appropriate explanation for the symptoms of a waddling gait and frequent falls in a 5-year-old child. These symptoms are indicative of a neuromuscular disorder known as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which involves progressive muscle weakness and degeneration. DMD is characterized by the loss of muscle fibers and is a common cause of a waddling gait and falls in affected children. Therefore, choice D is the correct answer based on the understanding of the underlying disease pathology.

The correct answer is Choice C: Assign the remainder of medication administration to another Practical Nurse (PN) who is performing treatments.

Choice A reason: Denying the medication aide’s request to leave before all medications are given does not address the issue at hand and could potentially jeopardize patient care. It is important to acknowledge the medication aide’s request and find an appropriate solution that ensures patient safety and well-being.

Choice B reason: Delegating medication administration to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) who may not have the necessary training or authorization could lead to medication errors, adverse drug reactions, or other negative outcomes. It is essential to adhere to the scope of practice guidelines and facility policies when assigning tasks to UAPs.

Choice C reason: Reassigning the medication administration to another PN with the necessary qualifications and training ensures that patients receive their medications in a safe and timely manner. This action aligns with the practical nurse’s responsibility to supervise and delegate tasks appropriately, maintaining patient safety and upholding the standards of care.

Choice D reason: Documenting why medications were not given to each resident is an important aspect of maintaining accurate and comprehensive patient records. However, it does not address the immediate need to administer medications to residents, and it is not a substitute for ensuring that patients receive their prescribed treatments. Documentation should be completed after the appropriate steps have been taken to administer medications or arrange for an alternative solution.