A nurse in a long-term care facility is collecting admission data from a client who uses a hearing aid. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

The correct answer is choice A: "Perform muscle relaxation before bedtime."

Choice A rationale:

Suggesting to the client to "Perform muscle relaxation before bedtime" is a helpful recommendation. Muscle relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation or deep breathing exercises, can help calm the body and mind, making it easier to fall asleep.

Choice B rationale:

Advising the client to "Exercise vigorously 1 hour prior to going to bed" is not recommended. Vigorous exercise close to bedtime can actually stimulate the body and make it harder to fall asleep. Gentle, non-strenuous activities are more suitable before bedtime.

Choice C rationale:

Recommending the client to "Drink a cup of hot chocolate at bedtime" is not ideal. Hot chocolate contains caffeine, which is a stimulant that can interfere with sleep. It's better to avoid caffeine-containing beverages close to bedtime.

Choice D rationale:

Suggesting the client to "Change the time you go to sleep each day" disrupts the body's internal clock and sleep-wake cycle. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends, helps regulate the body's natural sleep patterns.

The correct answer is choice A.

Choice A rationale:

Count the client's radial and apical pulses simultaneously with another nurse. Rationale: In the presence of an irregular heart rate, a pulse deficit might indicate a discrepancy between the peripheral (radial) and central (apical) pulses. Counting the pulses simultaneously with another nurse helps to accurately assess this deficit. By comparing the two pulse rates, the nurse can identify if there is a difference, which might indicate inadequate circulation or irregular heartbeats that aren't effectively transmitting to the peripheral arteries.

Choice B rationale:

Calculate the client's pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by 2. Rationale: While calculating the pulse rate for 30 seconds and then multiplying by 2 is a valid method to determine the heart rate, it doesn't address the specific concern of a pulse deficit. This approach might help in assessing the overall heart rate but doesn't provide information about potential irregularities or discrepancies between peripheral and central pulses.

Choice C rationale:

Assist the client to a side-lying position. Rationale: Assisting the client to a side-lying position doesn't directly relate to the assessment of a pulse deficit. The position of the client wouldn't significantly impact the assessment of irregular heart rates or pulse deficits.

Choice D rationale:

Auscultate the area of the client's chest over the Erb's point. Rationale: Auscultating the area of the client's chest over the Erb's point is a technique used to assess heart sounds, particularly the S2 heart sound. This technique is not relevant to assessing a pulse deficit. It can provide information about heart valve function but doesn't help in evaluating a discrepancy between peripheral and central pulses.