A client expresses an interest in reducing intake of saturated fats and plans to stop eating hamburgers at lunch. Which menu item should the nurse suggest as an alternative source of protein?

Choice A

Cutting the spaghetti and meatballs into small pieces is inappropriate. This choice is not directly related to the risk of infection. It might be helpful for a client who has difficulty swallowing or chewing, but it doesn't address the compromised immune system and infection risk.

Choice B

Exchanging pasteurized whole milk with skim milk is inappropriate. The type of milk doesn't have a direct impact on infection risk. Both pasteurized whole milk and skim milk are considered safe for consumption. This choice doesn't address the specific concern of infection in a client with a low ANC.

Choice C

Substituting fried potatoes with a garden salad is inappropriate. While choosing healthier food options can be beneficial for overall health, the choice between fried potatoes and a garden salad doesn't necessarily impact the infection risk for a client with a low ANC. This choice also doesn't address the specific concern of infection in this context.

Choice D

Remove the fresh grapes from the meal tray is appropriate. The reason for this choice is that a client with an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 400 has a significantly compromised immune system, and they are at a high risk of infection due to their low neutrophil count. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in fighting off infections. A normal ANC falls within the range of 2500 to 8000 mm3 or cells/uL.

Fresh grapes, being a raw and uncooked food item, may carry a higher risk of containing bacteria or pathogens that could pose a threat to a client with such a low ANC. The nurse needs to ensure that the client's exposure to potential sources of infection is minimized.

Choice A

Sending fluid specimen to the lab should be implemented. Cloudy green fluid aspirated from a nasogastric tube (NGT) can indicate that the tube is in the wrong place, likely in the respiratory tract (trachea) instead of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach). The green colour suggests the presence of bile, which is normally found in the stomach but not in the respiratory tract. This is a serious situation that requires immediate attention.

The most appropriate intervention in this case is to send the fluid specimen to the lab for analysis. This is important for confirmation of the content and to guide further steps. The nurse should also consult the healthcare provider to determine the appropriate course of action, which might involve removing and reinserting the NGT correctly.

Choice B

Withdrawing the NGT and reinsert should not be implemented. If the NGT is in the wrong place, reinserting it without further assessment could worsen the situation. The nurse should not reinsert the NGT until the correct placement is confirmed.

Choice C

Connecting the NGT to wall suction should not be implemented. Connecting the NGT to wall suction without verifying its placement could cause harm, especially if the tube is in the respiratory tract.

Choice D

Determine pH value of specimen should not be implemented. While assessing the pH of aspirated fluid can help confirm the location of the NGT, sending the specimen to the lab for analysis is a more comprehensive action in this situation, as it allows for more detailed examination and guidance for appropriate next steps.