Question

Nursing interventions should be documented according to specific criteria in order that they may be clearly understood by other members of the nursing team. The most appropriate of the following intervention statements is:

1. Offer fluids to the client q2h
2. Observe the client's respirations
3. Change the client's dressing daily
4. Irrigate the nasogastric tube q2h with 30 ml normal saline

Answer 1

The clearest nursing intervention statement is "Irrigate the nasogastric tube q2h with 30 ml normal saline," which specifies action, frequency, and precise solution details for seamless team understanding and patient care.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is asking which nursing intervention statement would be the clearest for other members of the nursing team. Among the options presented, the most appropriate and explicit intervention statement is:

"Irrigate the nasogastric tube q2h with 30 ml normal saline."

This statement is specific because it indicates the action to be taken (irrigate the nasogastric tube), the frequency (every two hours), and the exact volume and type of solution to use (30 ml normal saline). It provides clear instructions that can be reliably executed by any nurse, thus ensuring continuity of care under the direct supervision of a registered nurse. This aligns well with scenarios where nurses might focus on providing dialysis treatments, require correction of dehydration in patients, or need to understand details such as vital signs and prepare for sterile procedures.