The nurse receives a telephone prescription from the healthcare provider for a client's persistent cough and wheezing. The prescription includes a chest x-ray, an antibiotic, and a nebulizer treatment now and as needed (PRN). After reading the prescription back to the healthcare provider to ensure accuracy, which intervention should the nurse implement first?

The healthcare provider discusses with a male client the need for a cardiac catheterization, describes the risks and benefits of the procedure, and asks the nurse to have the client sign the consent form. When the nurse presents the consent form for signature, the client hesitates and asks the nurse how the wires will keep his heart going. Which action should the nurse take?

During an evening shift on a medical unit, the only nurse on the unit is busy with an unstable client. The unit clerk, who is also both a certified medication aide and an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP), reports to the nurse that a healthcare provider is on the telephone and wishes to prescribe an as needed (PRN) dose of an oral over-the counter laxative for a client who is constipated. Which instruction should the nurse provide the unit clerk?

A client who fell at home and experienced a brief loss of consciousness becomes increasingly confused after admission to the medical unit. The family presents the client's signed power of attorney and a home medication list. When reporting to the healthcare provider using SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) communication, which information should the nurse provide first?

A postoperative client's respiratory rate decreased from 14 breaths/minute to 6 breaths/minute after administration of an opioid analgesic. Thirty minutes later, the client's respiratory rate decreases to 4 breaths/minute, and the nurse caring for the client notifies the healthcare provider and administers a dose of IV naloxone. The charge nurse should counsel the nurse regarding which intervention?

The charge nurse is providing instructions to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) who will be assisting with the care of a client who has a hiatal hernia. Which instruction should the charge nurse provide the UAP?

An older adult client who was recently widowed has become increasingly confused and disoriented. The family tells the healthcare provider's office nurse that it is imperative for their parent to be admitted to the hospital for medical evaluation. The client is a member of a managed healthcare plan. Which information is best for the nurse to provide this family?

Breakfast trays have arrived on the unit, but the daily serum glucose level is not available on the chart of a client with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which action should the nurse take?

Aspirin 81 mg at 0900 daily is prescribed for an adult client. At 0800 the client asks for something for low back pain, but does not have any PRN analgesics prescribed. Which action is best for the nurse to take?

During a 24-hour electronic health record review of a client in acute renal failure, the nurse notices that a prescription, written 12 hours ago for every 6 hours serum potassium levels, was not transcribed by the previous shift. Which immediate action is best for the nurse to take?

The nurse manager conducts regular audits of patient care medication records and notices that the amount of narcotic pain medications administered during the evening shift on a postsurgical unit is higher than usual. Which action should the nurse manager take first?