Question

Multiple-choice question: Joyce tells the nurse that she has an oral temperature of \(101.2^{\circ} \mathrm{F}\left(38.4^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\right)\) and a cough. What action should the nurse take? A. Schedule Joyce an appointment with the endocrinologist for the next day. B. Tell Joyce she needs to contact her primary care provider for routine sick visits. Chapter 6: Pharmacology C. Recommend that Joyce take acetaminophen (Tylenol), increase intake of PO fluids, and rest. D. Advise Joyce to go immediately to the ED.

Short answer

Option C is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take. The nurse should recommend that Joyce take acetaminophen (Tylenol), increase intake of PO fluids, and rest.

Step-by-step solution

Analyze symptoms

The first step is to consider Joyce's symptoms. She has a raised temperature of \(101.2^{\circ}\mathrm{F}\) (\(38.4^{\circ}\mathrm{C}\)) and a cough. These symptoms could indicate a minor illness such as a cold or flu, but could also be early symptoms of something more serious.

Evaluate options

We now evaluate the actions the nurse could take, aiming to choose the one that would be most appropriate considering Joyce's symptoms.

Analyze option A

If the nurse scheduled Joyce an appointment with the endocrinologist for the next day, it would imply that her symptoms are being caused by an endocrine disorder. However, Joyce's symptoms do not directly suggest this, making it unlikely to be the right decision.

Analyze option B

Telling Joyce to contact her primary care provider for routine sick visits denotes that her symptoms might not be deemed as an emergency, and could be managed by her personal healthcare provider. However, the nurse dismissing her symptom as a routine sick visit might delay immediate care that she might require.

Analyze option C

Recommending over-the-counter medicines and rest implies that the nurse is providing symptomatic relief, while making sure Joyce is comfortable. This suggests that her symptoms might be from a common ailment that doesn't require immediate emergency care, like a minor cold or flu.

Analyze option D

Advising Joyce to go immediately to the emergency department would imply that her symptoms are severe and potentially life-threatening, which does not seem to be the case based on the information provided.

Choose the best option

Based on the analysis of Joyce's symptoms and the available options, option C seems the most reasonable. The nurse would be providing immediate symptomatic relief, but still recommending rest and adequate fluid intake, which are general measures suitable to most common illnesses.

Key concepts

Nursing Assessment

In nursing, assessment is the crucial first step of the clinical process. It involves gathering comprehensive information about a patient's symptoms and health history. In our example, the nurse must consider Joyce's raised temperature and cough. This is done to identify potential health concerns.
The key aspects to consider while assessing a patient include:

• Vital signs: These include temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure.
• Symptoms: Collecting both the primary complaint and any secondary symptoms.
• Medical history: Considering any previous illnesses or ongoing medical conditions.
• Risk factors: Identifying lifestyle or genetic factors that could influence health.

This information helps determine the severity and potential cause of the current symptoms. By performing a thorough assessment, the nurse can decide if the situation is an emergency or needs routine care. By doing so, they tailor their care to the patient's specific needs.

Clinical Decision-Making

Clinical decision-making involves evaluating gathered data by applying critical thinking. This helps in forming a decision about the best course of action for patient care. For Joyce, after assessing her cough and fever, the nurse evaluates possible actions. The aim is to choose the option that benefits Joyce the most without unnecessary escalation of care.
Effective clinical decision-making involves:

• Analyzing collected data: Taking into account symptoms and any test results.
• Considering treatment options: Evaluating potential actions based on their effectiveness and urgency.
• Prioritizing patient safety: Ensuring choices do not put the patient at risk.
• Applying clinical guidelines: Following protocols to ensure evidence-based practices are maintained.

The nurse's decision to recommend rest and over-the-counter medication reflects careful consideration of Joyce's situation. This choice provides relief while avoiding unnecessary medical procedures.

Patient Care Management

Managing patient care involves putting the chosen clinical decision into practice. It ensures personalized and effective treatment for the patient. In Joyce's case, the nurse's recommendation of rest, fluids, and acetaminophen is a basic yet tailored care plan. This involves providing symptomatic relief and supporting the body's healing process.
Essential components of patient care management include:

• Implementation: Taking action based on the chosen plan, such as administering medication or providing advice.
• Monitoring: Regularly checking the patient's progress and response to treatment.
• Communication: Clearly explaining instructions and expectations to the patient for effective self-care.
• Follow-up: Scheduling further interactions if symptoms persist or worsen.

Patient care management makes sure that the nurse doesn't just make a decision, but follows through with an action plan that aligns with the patient's best interest, enhancing overall health outcomes.