A nurse is assessing the coping strategies of a client who has recently retired.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates that the client is using compensation as a defense mechanism?

A) "My child has some swelling around her eyelids and mouth."

In this scenario, the parent reporting swelling around the toddler's eyelids and mouth after receiving immunizations is the nurse's priority concern. Swelling around the eyes and mouth can be indicative of a possible allergic reaction, such as angioedema or anaphylaxis, which can be a serious and life-threatening condition. Immediate assessment and intervention are needed to address this potential allergic reaction.

The other findings, while important, are not as immediately concerning:

B) A temperature of 100.7 degrees Fahrenheit is a mild fever, which can be expected as a side effect of some vaccines. It may not be the nurse's immediate priority, but it should still be monitored.

C) A toddler's decreased feeding of 2 ounces during her last feeding may be related to her discomfort or fever after immunizations. It's essential to monitor this but not an immediate priority.

D) Crying when touched at the injection site is a common response to immunizations and, while uncomfortable for the child, is not typically a cause for immediate concern. However, it should still be addressed with comfort measures.

The correct answer is Choice A.

Choice A rationale:

The client has influenza, which is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted through droplets when the infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The UAP is in close contact with the client while assisting them to sit up in bed to eat lunch. Therefore, it is necessary for the UAP to wear a face mask in addition to a gown and gloves to prevent the spread of the virus.This is in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, which recommend that healthcare personnel wear a face mask when they are in the same room as a patient with suspected or confirmed influenza.

Choice B rationale:

A fitted respirator mask is not necessary in this situation.According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), respirators are required for airborne diseases such as tuberculosis, but not for influenza, which is a droplet-transmitted disease. Therefore, reminding the UAP to apply a fitted respirator mask before entering the client’s room is not the most appropriate action.

Choice C rationale:

Assigning the UAP to provide care for another client and assuming full care of the client is not the most appropriate action in this situation. The UAP is already wearing a gown and gloves, which are part of the standard precautions for any patient care.The UAP just needs to add a face mask to their personal protective equipment (PPE) to safely assist the client.

Choice D rationale:

Instructing the UAP to notify the nurse of any changes in the client’s respiratory status is always a good practice. However, it does not address the immediate need for the UAP to wear a face mask while in close contact with the client. Therefore, it is not the most appropriate action in this situation.