You are caring for a nonambulatory 80-year-old male patient and he tells you, a female nurse, that he feels like he is having drainage from his rectum. Which initial nursing action is appropri-ate?
a. Drape the patient and observe the rectal area.
b. Tell the patient that his doctor will be no-tified of his problem.
c. Tell the patient that you will ask the male nurse on the next shift to check on the problem.
d. Give the patient an ice pack to apply to the area.
A
Necessary exposure for direct observation, while adjusting for modesty, is warranted. The com-plaint warrants validation before referral or delegation. Before you call the physician, you need to assess the patient. The assessment should not wait for another shift. Before treatment, it is important to assess the complaint.
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The nurse is accepting care of an adult patient who has been experiencing severe and intractable pain
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A nurse is investigating the literature on a clinical topic and is particularly interested in studies that are experimental. What other terms may the nurse encounter in a literature search? (Select all that apply.)
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