A nurse has completed care procedures for a client who requires airborne precautions. Which of the following items of personal protective equipment (PPE) should the nurse remove first?

A. Hyponatremia: Hyponatremia is characterized by low sodium levels in the blood and can lead to symptoms such as weakness, confusion, and seizures. While hyponatremia can contribute to fluid imbalance, the client's presentation with shortness of breath, lower extremity swelling, crackles in the lungs, and elevated blood pressure is more indicative of fluid volume excess rather than hyponatremia.

B. Hypervolemia: Hypervolemia, or fluid volume excess, occurs when there is an abnormal increase in the extracellular fluid volume. This can lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath, crackles in the lungs (indicative of pulmonary edema), peripheral edema, and elevated blood pressure. Given the client's reported symptoms and assessment findings, hypervolemia is the most likely diagnosis.

C. Hypovolemia: Hypovolemia, or fluid volume deficit, occurs when there is a decrease in the extracellular fluid volume. This condition is characterized by symptoms such as thirst, dry mucous membranes, decreased urine output, and hypotension. The client in this scenario presents with signs and symptoms consistent with fluid volume excess rather than hypovolemia.

D. Hyperkalemia: Hyperkalemia is characterized by elevated potassium levels in the blood and can lead to symptoms such as muscle weakness, cardiac dysrhythmias, and nausea. While hyperkalemia can occur in clients with end-stage kidney disease, the client's reported symptoms and assessment findings are more suggestive of fluid volume excess rather than hyperkalemia.

Answer: B. The padding of the restraints is against the client's bony prominences.

A. The nurse can insert one finger between the client's wrist and the restraint.
The proper guideline is that the nurse should be able to insert two fingers between the client's wrist and the restraint. This ensures the restraint is snug but not too tight, which helps prevent impaired circulation and skin breakdown.

B. The padding of the restraints is against the client's bony prominences.
This is the correct practice. The padding of the restraints should always be applied to protect the client’s skin and prevent injury, particularly over bony prominences where the risk of pressure sores or skin breakdown is higher.

C. The AP ties the straps of the restraints in a double knot.
A double knot should not be used because it can make it difficult to quickly release the restraint in an emergency. A quick-release knot should always be used to ensure the restraint can be removed easily and promptly if needed.

D. The AP ties the restraints to the side rails.
Restraints should never be tied to movable parts like side rails, as raising or lowering the side rails could cause injury. Restraints should be secured to a part of the bed frame that does not move to prevent harm to the client.