A client is diagnosed with influenza A and is prescribed oseltamivir.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for further education?

The correct answer is choice a. Ask the wife to stop and assess the client’s swallowing reflex.

Choice A rationale:

Assessing the client’s swallowing reflex is crucial because facial paralysis and inability to move one side can indicate a risk of aspiration. Ensuring the client can safely swallow before giving any fluids is a priority to prevent complications like aspiration pneumonia.

Choice B rationale:

Giving the wife a straw might seem helpful, but it does not address the underlying risk of aspiration. Without assessing the swallowing reflex, using a straw could still lead to aspiration.

Choice C rationale:

Assisting the wife in giving small sips of water without assessing the swallowing reflex first is unsafe. The client might not be able to swallow properly, increasing the risk of aspiration.

Choice D rationale:

Obtaining thickening powder is a good step for clients with swallowing difficulties, but it should be done after assessing the swallowing reflex. The priority is to first determine if the client can swallow safely.

Choice A rationale:

Review the client's serum calcium level. Rationale: Checking the client's serum calcium level is not the most appropriate action in this situation. Hand and finger spasms during blood pressure measurement are more likely due to discomfort or muscle tension than a calcium deficiency. There is no immediate indication that the client's calcium level needs to be assessed urgently.

Choice B rationale:

Administer an as-needed (PRN) antianxiety medication. Rationale: Administering an antianxiety medication is not indicated in this situation. The client's symptoms of hand and finger spasms during blood pressure measurement are not likely related to anxiety. It is essential to address the immediate issue of obtaining an accurate blood pressure reading.

Choice C rationale:

Ask the UAP to take the blood pressure in the other arm. Rationale: This is the correct answer. When the UAP reports spasms in the client's right hand and fingers while taking blood pressure using the same arm, the nurse should prioritize obtaining an accurate blood pressure measurement. Asking the UAP to use the other arm can help ensure a more reliable reading. Muscle spasms in the arm being used for blood pressure measurement can lead to inaccurate results.

Choice D rationale:

Tell the UAP to use a different sphygmomanometer. Rationale: In this scenario, the issue appears to be related to muscle spasms in the client's hand and fingers rather than the sphygmomanometer itself. Changing the sphygmomanometer is unlikely to resolve the problem. The priority is to obtain an accurate blood pressure reading by addressing the spasms in the arm being used.