A nurse assesses four patients. Which patient has greatest risk for hypomagnesemia?

B. Post NO SMOKING signs in a prominent location in the home:
Oxygen supports combustion, making smoking or exposure to open flames highly dangerous in an oxygen-enriched environment. Posting NO SMOKING signs serves as a reminder to everyone in the household to avoid smoking or using open flames near the oxygen source.

C. Notify local fire department:
It's crucial to inform the local fire department that a client is using home oxygen therapy. This ensures that emergency responders are aware of the presence of oxygen in the home in case of a fire or emergency situation.

E. Check the tops of the ears for skin breakdown:
The nasal cannula can cause pressure on the tops of the ears, potentially leading to skin breakdown, especially with prolonged use. Checking for skin breakdown and providing appropriate skin care helps prevent complications and ensures the client's comfort.

A. Verify the oxygen flow rate every other day:
While it's essential to ensure that the oxygen equipment is functioning properly and that the prescribed flow rate is appropriate for the client's needs, checking it every other day may not be necessary unless there are specific concerns or changes in the client's condition.

D. Apply petroleum ointment to nares if they become dry and irritated:
While it's common for the nasal passages to become dry with oxygen therapy, applying petroleum ointment may not be recommended without consulting the healthcare provider first, as it can interfere with oxygen delivery and increase the risk of infection.

A. Cancer pain: Cancer pain can result from tumor growth, tissue invasion, or nerve compression caused by cancer. It can be acute or chronic and may vary in intensity. However, in this scenario, the client's pain is specifically associated with dermatitis resulting from radiation therapy, rather than directly from the cancer itself.

B. Acute pain: Acute pain is typically sudden in onset and is often associated with tissue injury or damage. In this case, the painful dermatitis resulting from radiation therapy would be considered acute pain because it is directly related to the recent tissue damage caused by the radiation. Acute pain is usually short-term and resolves as the underlying cause heals or is treated.

C. Chronic pain: Chronic pain persists beyond the expected time for tissue healing and is often associated with conditions such as arthritis or neuropathy. While cancer pain can sometimes become chronic if it persists over time, the pain described in this scenario is more likely to be acute given its association with recent radiation therapy.

D. Neuropathic pain: Neuropathic pain results from damage or dysfunction of the nervous system and can present as shooting or burning sensations. While neuropathic pain can occur in cancer patients, the pain described in this scenario is more likely to be acute and related to tissue damage from radiation therapy rather than neuropathy.