Question

A staff nurse caring for a client with a head injury notes that the client is restless and pulling at the intravenous (IV) line. The client’s primary health care provider does not want to prescribe sedation, and the family has requested that the client not be restrained. Which action by the nurse is best?

Answer 1

Talk to the doctor for an order of a sitter. The sitter can sit with the patient to watch them and make sure they do not pull out their IV. Or the staff nurse could switch to a primary nursing care plan which delivers around the clock nursing care instead on check ins every half hour.