The nurse is preparing to apply a topical ointment to a patient with a sore throat. Which instruction by the nurse would lead to first to help facilitate absorption of the medication?

A. Ensure that the skin is clean and dry. Cleaning and drying the skin removes dirt, oils, and moisture that could impede the absorption of the medication. This is the first step to ensure maximum efficacy of the topical ointment.

B. Don gloves prior to administration. While wearing gloves is important for infection control and personal protection, it does not directly facilitate the absorption of the ointment into the patient's skin.

C. Take the patient's vital signs. Checking vital signs is a general nursing practice but is unrelated to the application of topical ointments and does not affect absorption.

D. Apply to non-irritated areas of the skin. Applying to non-irritated skin is important to avoid exacerbating skin issues, but it’s not the first step to facilitate absorption. Ensuring the skin is clean and dry takes precedence.

A. Assess and document patient's level of pain: Monitoring and documenting pain is essential for effective pain management and patient comfort.

B. Administer contrast material: Administering contrast material is not typically required in the immediate postoperative period unless specifically ordered for diagnostic imaging.

C. Administer intravenous fluids as ordered: IV fluids are often needed postoperatively to maintain hydration and support recovery.

D. Administer antineoplastic agents as ordered: Antineoplastic agents are used for cancer treatment and are not a standard part of postoperative care unless the patient is undergoing concurrent cancer therapy.

E. Administer pain medication as ordered: Administering pain medication as ordered is crucial for managing postoperative pain and promoting recovery.