A client was admitted to the hospital unit after 2 days of vomiting and diarrhea. The client’s spouse became alarmed when the client demonstrated confusion and elevated temperature and reported “dry mouth.” The nurse suspects the client is experiencing which condition?

Choice A reason: Decreasing fluid intake is appropriate for hypervolemia, as excess fluid exacerbates conditions like heart failure, causing edema and hypertension. Limiting fluids reduces fluid overload, preventing complications like pulmonary edema, indicating the client understands this aspect, requiring no further teaching on this point.

Choice B reason: Avoiding high-sodium foods is correct, as sodium retains water, worsening hypervolemia. Reducing sodium prevents fluid retention, lowering risks of edema and heart failure exacerbation, showing the client understands this self-management strategy, making further teaching unnecessary for this aspect of hypervolemia care.

Choice C reason: Weighing oneself weekly is inadequate for hypervolemia, as daily monitoring detects early fluid retention (2-3 pounds). Sudden weight gain signals worsening fluid overload, risking pulmonary edema. This statement indicates a need for further teaching on the importance of daily weights to manage hypervolemia effectively.

Choice D reason: Calling the physician for swelling is appropriate, as edema indicates fluid retention in hypervolemia. Prompt reporting allows early intervention to prevent complications like heart failure, showing the client understands this action, requiring no further teaching on reporting symptoms for timely medical management.

Choice A reason: Hypoactive bowel sounds in two quadrants suggest reduced peristalsis, indicating persistent postoperative ileus rather than resolution. Normal peristalsis produces active bowel sounds across all quadrants, making this an incorrect indicator of returned gastrointestinal motility in a postoperative client.

Choice B reason: Requesting food indicates appetite but not necessarily peristalsis. Appetite can return before gastrointestinal motility, driven by neurological and hormonal factors. Passage of flatus directly confirms intestinal motility, making appetite a less accurate indicator of peristalsis restoration in this context.

Choice C reason: Passage of flatus is the most accurate indicator of returned peristalsis, as it reflects gastrointestinal motility. Gas movement through the intestines, expelled as flatus, confirms resolution of postoperative ileus, indicating normal bowel function, making this the best sign of recovery.

Choice D reason: Abdominal distention suggests gas accumulation, indicating persistent ileus rather than returned peristalsis. Gas buildup occurs when motility is impaired, causing bloating. Passage of flatus confirms gas movement and restored motility, making distention an incorrect indicator of recovery.