Which of the following actions can help nurses decrease the risk for contractures in clients?

A.Prescribing medications is an act that falls within the scope of practice of advanced practice providers, such as physicians or nurse practitioners. The registered nurse's role is to educate the client on the purpose, side effects, and administration schedule of the prescribed drugs. Nurses ensure the client understands the regimen to promote medication adherence and prevent adverse pharmacological events.

B.Diagnosing client illnesses is a medical function that involves identifying a disease pathology based on signs, symptoms, and diagnostic testing. The nurse focuses on the nursing diagnosis, which addresses the human response to the illness rather than the illness itself. Education revolves around helping the client manage those responses and understand their health status.

C.Describing the technical steps of a surgical procedure is the legal responsibility of the surgeon as part of obtaining informed consent. The nurse's role in preoperative education is to clarify the client's understanding, answer general questions, and provide post-surgical expectations. If the client does not understand the procedure itself, the nurse must notify the surgeon to provide further explanation.

D.Encouraging clients to advocate for themselves is a fundamental nursing role that empowers individuals to participate actively in their own healthcare. By providing clear information and teaching communication skills, the nurse helps clients express their needs and values to the interprofessional team. Self-advocacy improves patient safety and ensures that the care plan remains patient-centered and ethically sound.

A.Increased technology awareness: While using digital systems might improve a staff member's technical skills, this is a secondary effect rather than a primary clinical advantage. The main goal of the EHR is to improve patient outcomes and documentation efficiency. Personal skill development is not a standard advantage cited for healthcare systems.

B.Required system changes: The need to constantly adapt to new software interfaces or hardware requirements is generally viewed as a challenge or burden. System changes require extensive staff training and can lead to temporary decreases in productivity. This represents a significant administrative hurdle rather than a benefit to patient care delivery.

C.Facilitation of effective communication: EHRs provide a centralized, real-time repository of patient data that is accessible by all members of the interdisciplinary team simultaneously. This reduces the risk of information silos and ensures that clinicians are making decisions based on the most current data. It enhances the continuity and safety of patient care.

D.Frequent technology updates needed: The necessity of regular software patches and hardware upgrades is a logistical and financial challenge for healthcare organizations. Updates can lead to system downtime and require ongoing education for the nursing staff. This is a maintenance requirement rather than a clinical advantage that improves patient outcomes.