Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition and is NPO. When reviewing the chart, the nurse notes the following prescription: capillary blood glucose AC and HS. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A)Contact the provider to clarify the prescription.
B)Instruct the client to perform the Valsalva maneuver during removal.
C)Lower the client to the floor.
D)A nontender, hard lump that is palpated in one breast.

Answer 1

The nurse should proceed to check the patient's capillary blood glucose before meals and at bedtime as prescribed, as this is standard for patients on TPN.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is asking what action a nurse should take when they see a prescription that indicates capillary blood glucose AC (before meals) and HS (at bedtime) for a client receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and is nothing by mouth (NPO). This is a common practice for monitoring blood sugar levels in patients who are receiving nutrition intravenously, as TPN can cause fluctuations in glucose levels. The appropriate nursing action would be to ensure that the capillary blood glucose levels are checked before meals and at bedtime as prescribed, despite the patient being NPO. There is no need to contact the provider to clarify the prescription unless there is uncertainty about the patient's specific situation or if there are changes in the patient's condition that warrant reevaluation.