A nurse is admitting a client who has active tuberculosis. Which of the following nursing interventions is appropriate?

Answer: C. Weigh the client each morning after voiding

Rationale:

A. Encourage the client to gain 2.3 kg (5 lb) per week:
A weight gain goal of 0.5 to 1 kg (1 to 2 lb) per week is considered safe and realistic. Gaining 2.3 kg (5 lb) weekly is too aggressive and may cause physical and psychological stress for the client.

B. Monitor the client for 15 min after meals:
Clients with anorexia nervosa are at risk for purging behaviors. Monitoring for only 15 minutes is insufficient. A 60-minute post-meal observation period is more appropriate to deter vomiting or excessive exercise.

C. Weigh the client each morning after voiding:
Daily weights, taken at the same time each morning after voiding and before eating, provide consistent and accurate data to monitor progress and detect manipulation or fluid shifts.

D. Reinforce teaching about healthy eating during meals:
Reinforcing education during meals can increase the client’s anxiety and resistance to eating. Teaching is best done separately from mealtimes to avoid associating eating with stress.

The charge nurse should explain to the assistive personnel (AP) that one of the responsibilities of a licensed practical nurse (LPN) is providing direct client care. LPNs work under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and are trained to deliver basic nursing care to clients. This includes tasks such as administering medications, monitoring vital signs, dressing wounds, assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs), and reporting any changes in the client's condition to the RN.

The other options are not typically within the scope of practice for an LPN:

a. Coordinating client care: The coordination of client care is primarily the responsibility of the RN. While LPNs may contribute to the coordination of care by providing input and collaborating with the healthcare team, the overall coordination is usually managed by the RN.

c. Assessing a client's health status: Assessing a client's health status is a role primarily performed by RNs. LPNs may gather data and contribute to the assessment process, but the comprehensive assessment and interpretation of data is typically the responsibility of the RN.

d. Identifying specific client health problems: Identifying specific client health problems and formulating nursing diagnoses is part of the RN's role. LPNs may assist in collecting data and providing input, but the identification and formulation of nursing diagnoses are within the scope of practice of the RN.