A home health nurse is teaching a new caregiver how to care for a client who has had a tracheostomy for 1 year. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to use tracheostomy covers when going outdoors. This instruction is important as it helps protect the airway from dust and other particles, reducing the risk of infection or irritation. Choice B is incorrect because maintaining sterile technique is crucial during tracheostomy care to prevent infections, but it is not the most pertinent instruction in this scenario. Choice C is incorrect as removing the outer cannula is not a routine cleaning procedure and should only be done by healthcare professionals when necessary. Choice D is incorrect because cleaning around the stoma with normal saline is not recommended as it can cause irritation to the skin and stoma site.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The most appropriate action for the nurse to take is to put the client's wedding ring in a locked storage unit for safekeeping. This ensures that the ring is secure and minimizes the risk of loss or damage. Choices A, B, and C do not provide the same level of security and protection as placing the ring in a locked storage unit. Pinning it to the hospital gown (Choice A) may not be secure and could still lead to loss. Placing it in the client's drawer (Choice B) may not guarantee its safety. Holding onto it until a family member retrieves it (Choice C) leaves the ring vulnerable to misplacement or theft.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Washing out the feeding bag with warm water once every 24 hours is not sufficient to prevent bacterial growth and can lead to diarrhea. Using hot water may damage the feeding bag. Washing out the feeding bag with soap and water every 24 hours is excessive and may leave residue that could be harmful. Changing the feeding bag every 24 hours is important for preventing infections but does not directly address the issue of diarrhea in this case.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct instruction for a client prescribed nitroglycerin sublingual tablets is to place the tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve completely. This route of administration allows for rapid absorption of the medication through the oral mucosa, providing quick relief for angina symptoms. Option A, taking the medication with food, is incorrect as nitroglycerin should be taken sublingually, not with food. Option C, swallowing the tablet whole with water, is incorrect as sublingual tablets should not be swallowed whole. Option D, chewing the tablet for faster relief, is also incorrect as chewing the tablet can lead to rapid absorption and potential adverse effects rather than a controlled release for angina relief.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) is a structured method for communicating information during shift changes. SBAR provides a clear and concise way for healthcare providers to communicate important details about a patient's condition, ensuring that essential information is effectively transferred between providers. Choice B, SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan), is a method primarily used for documentation in patient charts, not for shift change communication. Choice C, PIE (Problem, Intervention, Evaluation), is a nursing process format for organizing nursing care that focuses on individualized patient care plans, not shift handoff communication. Choice D, DAR (Data, Action, Response), is not a standard format for provider-to-provider handoff communication and is less commonly used in healthcare settings compared to SBAR.