The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with cancer who is experiencing a decreased nutritional intake due to painful oral lesions. Which intervention would the nurse include in the plan of care?
Encourage client to rinse the mouth twice a day with mouthwash
Encourage client to perform mouth care before and after every meal
Offer the client 3 meals per day with a snack at bedtime
Assess the client's oral pain level once a shift
The Correct Answer is B
A. Rinsing the mouth with mouthwash is not sufficient for managing oral lesions, and some mouthwashes may contain alcohol that can further irritate the lesions; therefore, this intervention is inadequate.
B. Performing mouth care before and after every meal can help minimize discomfort, remove debris, and maintain oral hygiene, which is crucial for someone with painful oral lesions to encourage better nutritional intake.
C. Offering three meals with a bedtime snack may not be effective if the client is unable to eat comfortably; focusing on smaller, more frequent meals or nutrient-dense options may be more beneficial.
D. While assessing oral pain is important, it should occur more frequently than once per shift to ensure ongoing management and adjustment of care based on the client’s comfort and needs.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Requesting a prescription to culture the wound is the priority action because the presence of redness, warmth, and serosanguinous drainage could indicate an infection that needs to be confirmed and treated appropriately.
B. While antibiotics may be necessary if an infection is confirmed, it is crucial to first determine the presence of infection through culturing the wound.
C. Assuring the client that these findings are normal may delay necessary intervention if an infection is present, which could worsen the client's condition.
D. Cleaning the wound with sterile normal saline may be appropriate as part of wound care, but it does not address the underlying concern of possible infection and would not be prioritized over obtaining a culture.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Measuring abdominal girth may be relevant for assessing potential complications like abdominal distention, but it is not the immediate priority in response to serosanguinous drainage from the nasogastric tube.
B. Continuing to monitor the drainage is appropriate, as serosanguinous fluid is common immediately after surgery and may gradually change as healing progresses. Monitoring allows for the identification of any changes that may require further intervention.
C. Notifying the physician may be necessary if the drainage increases or changes significantly, but immediate action is to observe and assess the drainage trend.
D. Irrigating the nasogastric tube is not warranted unless there is an obstruction or significant change in the drainage; it should only be done based on specific orders or protocols.