Nursing interventions should be documented according to specific criteria in order that they may be clearly understood by other members of the nursing team. The most appropriate of the fol-lowing intervention statements is the following:

Question

1. "Take vital signs."
2. "Refer client to a therapist."
3. "Turn client as needed while in bed."
4. "Apply two 4 × 4 dry gauze dressing pads tid."

Answer 1

ANS: 4
"Apply two 4 × 4 dry gauze dressing pads tid." is the most appropriate. It identifies the action, frequency, quantity, and method. "Take vital signs." fails to indicate the frequency and fails to completely indicate nursing actions (e.g., what parameters are used to notify the physician). "Re-fer client to a therapist." fails to completely indicate nursing interventions (e.g., what type of therapist). "Turn client as needed while in bed." fails to state an accurate frequency or precisely indicate the nursing actions.