Question

Your patient's auditory, visual, and tactile hallucinations are controlled with bimonthly injections of haloperidol (Haldol) that the community health nurse administers during home visits. You are the new nurse on this case; the previous nurse has retired. The previous nurse has stated in her care plan that the patient will let the nurse in the house only if the nurse carries a public health-issued blue bag and wears black pants. You are scheduled to visit this patient tomorrow. What should you do?

1) Call the patient and tell her that you are a new nurse and will be wearing white pants.
2) Show up as scheduled carrying only a stethoscope, vial, alcohol wipe, and medication syringe.
3) Show up as scheduled with a police officer.
4) Telephone the patient, introduce yourself, and show up carrying a blue bag and wearing black pants.

Answer 1

One should call the patient to introduce oneself as the new nurse and adhere to the specific requirement of carrying a blue bag and wearing black pants for the home visit.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct action would be to telephone the patient, introduce yourself as the new nurse, and ensure to adhere to the specific requirements set by the previous nurse regarding attire and equipment. This includes carrying a blue bag and wearing black pants when visiting the patient's home. Maintaining these conditions is likely a part of creating a comfortable and trusting environment for the patient, hence supporting the continued management of the patient's condition with haloperidol injections.