A nurse preceptor is observing a newly licensed nurse caring for a client on a medical-surgical unit. Which of the following actions by the newly licensed nurse requires further instruction by the nurse preceptor?
Explanation & Rationale
Rationale: A. The nurse positions a client who is postoperative in a semi-Fowler's position: Semi-Fowler's position is commonly used postoperatively to promote lung expansion, prevent aspiration, and support comfort. This is an appropriate nursing action that does not require correction. B. The nurse performs auscultation of the lungs without lifting the gown: Lung auscultation should always be performed on bare skin to ensure accurate assessment of breath sounds. Clothing can muffle or distort the sounds, potentially leading to misinterpretation or missed abnormalities. C. The nurse applies a cold compress to reduce localized swelling: Cold therapy is appropriate for managing inflammation, bruising, or swelling in many clinical settings. This demonstrates correct therapeutic intervention and does not indicate a need for further instruction. D. The nurse uses clean gloves when administering an enema: Clean (non-sterile) gloves are appropriate for enema administration since it is a non-sterile procedure. This action follows standard precautions and is acceptable for routine nursing care.