A client experiencing a sudden onset of confusion and trouble speaking at home is transported to the emergency department. The client does not understand simple commands and appears very frustrated. Which intervention should the nurse perform in the immediate management of the client?

A. One of the most common triggers is a distended bladder. When the bladder becomes full, it sends signals to the spinal cord, but due to the injury, these signals are unable to pass beyond the level of injury. This results in uncontrolled sympathetic activation, leading to symptoms such as hypertension, sweating, and headache.
B. Forehead diaphoresis, or sweating, is a potential symptom of autonomic dysreflexia. However, it is more of a consequence rather than a precipitating factor. It occurs as a result of sympathetic nervous system activation in response to the triggering stimulus.
C. Skeletal traction misalignment is not a common precipitating factor for autonomic dysreflexia. Autonomic dysreflexia is typically triggered by stimuli related to visceral or autonomic reflexes, such as bladder distention or bowel impaction, rather than mechanical issues like traction misalignment.
D. A severe pounding headache can occur as a symptom of autonomic dysreflexia, but it is not the primary precipitating factor. The headache is a result of the sudden increase in blood pressure that occurs during autonomic dysreflexia.

Positive health promotion activities include inquiring about blood pressure, asking questions about self-care, executing pull-ups on a trapeze bar, and turning side to side.

Negative health promotion activities include requesting the nurse to perform wound care and avoiding looking at the residual limb.

Rationale

POSITIVE:

Inquires about blood pressure:

Inquiring about blood pressure shows awareness of cardiovascular health, which is important for individuals with peripheral vascular disease. Monitoring blood pressure regularly can help prevent complications and manage hypertension, a common comorbidity in peripheral vascular disease.

Asks questions about self-care:

Asking questions about self-care indicates engagement in the management of one's health post- amputation. Understanding self-care tasks, such as wound care, prosthetic use, and rehabilitation exercises, is crucial for optimal recovery and adjustment to life after amputation. Executes pull-ups on trapeze bar:

Engaging in physical activity, such as pull-ups on a trapeze bar, demonstrates motivation for rehabilitation and adaptation to life after amputation. Strengthening exercises can improve overall physical function and assist in adjusting to mobility with a prosthetic limb.

Turns side to side:

Turning side to side suggests mobility and activity post-amputation. Movement and repositioning are important for preventing complications such as pressure ulcers and promoting circulation in individuals with peripheral vascular disease.

NEGATIVE

Requests nurse to perform wound care:

Negative: While it's understandable for a client to initially require assistance with wound care post-amputation, relying solely on the nurse to perform wound care may indicate a lack of engagement in self-management and may hinder the client's transition to independence in managing their health post-amputation.

Avoids looking at residual limb:

Negative: Avoiding looking at the residual limb may indicate psychological distress or difficulty accepting the amputation. It's important for individuals post-amputation to gradually become comfortable with their changed body image and to address any psychological challenges through counseling or support groups.