Question

A nurse is teaching a newly licensed nurse about methods to reduce costs of client care. Which of the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates understanding of the teaching?

A. "I should wait to empty my client's drainable colostomy until it is three-fourths full."
B. "I should delegate providing closed irrigation to the assistive personnel (AP)."
C. "I should encourage clients to receive an annual flu immunization."
D. "I should recommend that my clients who have an established tracheostomy use sterile technique at home to provide ostomy care."

Answer 1

Option C, encouraging flu immunizations, is the correct response as it can prevent illness and decrease hospitalizations, leading to cost savings. Options A and D may reduce costs but can lead to other issues, and Option B does not follow proper delegation protocols.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question posed by the student is focused on identifying which practices by a newly licensed nurse indicate an understanding of reducing costs in client care. Looking at the options provided, let's evaluate them:

1. Option A: Waiting to empty a client's drainable colostomy bag until it is three-fourths full reduces the frequency of change and, therefore, can cut costs associated with supplies. However, one must be careful not to overfill the bag, as this could lead to leaks or discomfort.
2. Option B: While delegation is an important skill in nursing, providing closed irrigations is a specialized nursing skill and should not be delegated to assistive personnel. This does not follow nursing standards and can ultimately lead to increased costs due to potential complications.
3. Option C: Encouraging annual flu immunizations can prevent the spread of influenza and decrease hospitalizations due to flu complications, leading to cost savings for both clients and the healthcare system.
4. Option D: Recommending sterile techniques at home can unnecessarily increase the cost of care, as clean rather than sterile techniques are typically recommended for stable patients with an established tracheostomy performing their own care at home.

The statement by the newly licensed nurse that indicates an understanding of reducing costs in client care is Option C, the encouragement of clients to receive annual flu immunizations.