A nurse in a provider's office is caring for a group of clients who have communicable diseases.
Which of the following infections should the nurse report to the state health department?

Choice A rationale:

Positioning the client supine with legs elevated is not an appropriate intervention for a client with ascites due to cirrhosis. It may help with other conditions, but in ascites, it can increase pressure on the abdomen and worsen fluid accumulation.

Choice C rationale:

Restricting the client's sodium intake to 3g per day is a valid intervention for a client with ascites due to cirrhosis. However, measuring the abdominal girth daily is a more immediate and actionable intervention to monitor the progression of ascites and adjust treatment accordingly.

Choice D rationale:

Keeping the client's daily protein intake below 0.8 g/kg is not the standard practice for managing ascites in cirrhosis. In fact, adequate protein intake is important to prevent malnutrition in these clients, so protein restriction is not recommended unless specifically indicated by a healthcare provider.

The correct answer is choice A and E.

Choice A rationale:

The nurse should plan to ask the client what they are hearing. This is a therapeutic communication technique known as seeking clarification. It allows the nurse to gain more information and understand the client’s perspective. It can also help the client feel heard and validated, which can build trust and rapport.

Choice B rationale:

Telling the client their hallucinations are not real is not recommended. While it’s true that the hallucinations are not real, from the client’s perspective, they are very real and can be very frightening. Telling them otherwise can come across as dismissive and invalidating, which can damage the therapeutic relationship.

Choice C rationale:

Escorting the client to a group meeting may not be appropriate at this time. Given the client’s current state of agitation and confusion, they may not be able to participate effectively in a group setting. It could also potentially disrupt the group dynamic.

Choice D rationale:

Restraining the client should be a last resort and only used when the client is a danger to themselves or others. In this case, while the client is agitated and confused, they do not appear to be an immediate danger.

Choice E rationale:

Reducing excess stimulation around the client can be beneficial in this situation. Excess stimulation can exacerbate symptoms of psychosis such as hallucinations and agitation. By creating a calm and quiet environment, it can help reduce these symptoms and help the client feel more at ease.