Question

The nurse manager of a medical-surgical unit is asked to select the hospitalized clients who can be discharged so that hospital beds can be made available for victims of a community disaster. Which clients can be safely discharged? Select all that apply.

a.A post-op patient awaiting scheduled discharge in the next hour
b.A stable patient on IV antibiotics with an expected discharge in two days
c.A patient who is ambulatory and preparing for outpatient therapy
d.A patient in critical condition but showing signs of improvement

Answer 1

Patients who can be safely discharged include those who are post-op and nearly ready for discharge, stable patients on IV antibiotics if outpatient care is feasible, and those who are ambulatory and moving to outpatient therapy. Critically ill patients should remain hospitalized.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse manager of a medical-surgical unit tasked with selecting hospitalized clients for discharge should prioritize patient safety while also considering the urgency to free up hospital beds for a community disaster. Considering the scenarios provided:

• A post-op patient awaiting scheduled discharge in the next hour can be safely discharged as they are already close to their discharge time.
• A stable patient on IV antibiotics with an expected discharge in two days may be safely discharged if they can continue antibiotic therapy at home and do not require additional in-hospital care.
• A patient who is ambulatory and preparing for outpatient therapy may be safely discharged if their condition is stable and does not necessitate inpatient care.

However, a patient in critical condition, even if showing signs of improvement, should likely remain hospitalized due to the potential for rapid changes in their condition and the need for close monitoring, which would not be guaranteed at home.