The nurse is preparing a community outreach program on primary disease prevention.
Which topic should the nurse plan to include in this event?

The correct answer is choice C: Ensure that the call bell is easily accessible to the client.

Choice C rationale: Ensuring that the call bell is easily accessible empowers the client to promptly request assistance if needed during the night. This promotes safety and reduces anxiety, as the client can quickly contact the nurse if they experience an urgent need to use the restroom or require any other assistance during the night.

Choice A rationale: Reassuring the client that someone will check on him hourly may provide some comfort, but it does not directly address the client's issue of urinary frequency. Ensuring easy access to the call bell is a more targeted approach to managing the client's needs.

Choice B rationale: Placing fresh water and a glass within reach on the bedside table is a good practice to maintain hydration, but it does not directly address the client's urinary frequency issue.

Choice D rationale: Offering an evening snack and oral care is essential for the client's overall well-being, but it is not directly related to managing the client's urinary frequency at night. The primary focus should be on ensuring that the client can access assistance quickly when needed.

Medication administration is a process that involves prescribing, dispensing, and giving medications to patients. It is a critical and complex task that requires accuracy, safety, and adherence to the rights of medication administration, such as the right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time, right documentation, and right response.

When a male client tells the practical nurse (PN) that the pill he has been taking at home is a different color and size than the one the PN is trying to give him now, this may indicate a potential medication error or discrepancy. A medication error is any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm. A medication discrepancy is any difference between the current and previous medication regimens of a patient.

The PN should respond to the client's concern by telling him that the PN will verify that the dispensed medication is the valid prescription. This means that the PN will check the medication label, the medication order, and the medication administration record (MAR) to confirm that the medication given to the client matches the one prescribed by the healthcare provider. The PN will also compare the dispensed medication with a drug reference guide or a picture of the medication to ensure that it is the correct drug and dosage form. The PN will also report any suspected errors or discrepancies to the healthcare provider or the pharmacy for clarification or correction.

Options A, B, and D are incorrect answers, as they do not reflect the appropriate or responsible actions for the PN to take when faced with a possible medication error or discrepancy.

Option A is incorrect because explaining that the healthcare provider probably prescribed a different medication while he is hospitalized is not true or helpful, as it does not verify or resolve the issue.

Option B is incorrect because telling the client that he is probably confused since being hospitalized tends to disorient clients is rude and dismissive, as it does not acknowledge or address the client's concern.

Option D is incorrect because explaining that the pharmacy often substitutes generic equivalents for more expensive brands is not accurate or relevant, as it does not verify or resolve the issue.