The nurse reviews the client's laboratory results.

Exhibits

SELECT words from the choices below to fill in each blank in the following sentence.

The nurse should anticipate a provider's prescription for

____________

and

_______________

.

A. A client who is 2 days postoperative following a colon resection: This client may have complex postoperative needs, including management of surgical drains, potential complications such as infection or anastomotic leakage, and advanced pain management. These require specialized knowledge and experience, making it less appropriate for a float nurse.

B. A client who has tuberculosis and is on airborne precautions: Care for a client with airborne precautions requires strict adherence to infection control protocols, including use of negative pressure rooms and N95 respirators. A float nurse from postpartum may not be fully trained in airborne isolation procedures, making this assignment unsafe.

C. A client who has a head injury and requires neurological checks every 4 hr: Frequent neurological assessments and the ability to detect subtle changes in neuro status require specialized knowledge and experience in neuro care. A float nurse from postpartum may not have the necessary training to safely monitor and respond to neurological changes.

D. A client who is 1 day postoperative following a transurethral resection of the prostate: This client typically requires routine postoperative monitoring, including vital signs, intake and output, and catheter care, which are within the skill set of a float nurse with general nursing experience. The care is predictable and does not require specialized care knowledge.

A. Educating the client how to cover nose and mouth with tissues when coughing: Covering the nose and mouth helps prevent airborne transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Proper disposal of tissues and hand hygiene further reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.

B. Recommending the client may return to work after two negative sputum cultures: Returning to work should only be considered after the client is no longer contagious and cleared by the healthcare provider. This often requires multiple negative sputum cultures and clinical evaluation, not just a time-based recommendation.

C. Instructing the client that he is no longer contagious after 1 week of medication therapy: Clients with active TB are not automatically non-contagious after one week of therapy. Contagiousness decreases gradually, and adherence to medication and follow-up sputum tests determine when the client is safe to interact with others.

D. Teaching the client’s family to wear protective masks while with the client: Family members do not routinely need masks if proper airborne precautions are in place and the client is receiving treatment at home. Emphasis should be on client respiratory hygiene, ventilation, and adherence to treatment.