A nurse is caring for a client who has a tension pneumothorax. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?

Rationale:

A. Speak in a neutral tone when addressing the client: Clients with paranoid personality disorder are often suspicious of others’ motives and may perceive hostility or manipulation. Using a neutral, calm, and nonjudgmental tone helps build trust and reduces anxiety, increasing the likelihood of cooperation with care, including medication administration.

B. Rotate staff members caring for the client: Frequently changing caregivers can increase mistrust and paranoia in these clients, as consistency and predictability are important for establishing a therapeutic relationship. Continuity of care helps the client feel more secure and supported.

C. Mix the medication with the client's food items: Covertly administering medication can further damage trust and may be considered unethical. Clients with paranoid personality disorder require transparency and respect for autonomy to maintain a therapeutic relationship.

D. Limit the client's opportunities to socialize with others: Social isolation is not an appropriate intervention and may worsen symptoms of paranoia and distrust. Encouraging safe, structured social interactions can support the client’s overall functioning without compromising boundaries or autonomy.

Rationale:

A. Encourage the client to elevate their legs while in bed: Elevating the affected leg helps reduce venous pressure, decreasing edema and discomfort associated with DVT. Elevation also promotes venous return, which can limit further clot propagation. This intervention provides symptom relief without increasing the risk of embolization.

B. Place an immobilizer on the affected leg: Immobilizers restrict movement and are used for musculoskeletal injuries, not for DVT management. Immobilization can worsen venous stasis by reducing circulation in the lower extremity. Instead, clients with DVT benefit from gentle mobility once anticoagulation is initiated, unless contraindicated, to prevent worsening clot burden.

C. Implement bleeding precautions: The client has diagnostic confirmation of DVT and will require anticoagulation, which increases bleeding risk. Bleeding precautions help prevent complications such as hematuria, bruising, or gastrointestinal bleeding. Monitoring for signs of bleeding and avoiding trauma are essential once therapy begins.

D. Apply intermittent pneumatic compression devices to the unaffected leg: IPC devices should not be applied to the affected limb due to the risk of dislodging the thrombus. However, using them on the unaffected leg promotes venous return and helps prevent additional clot formation.

E. Instruct the client to expect dark stools: Dark stools can indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, which is not an expected effect of DVT treatment. While anticoagulants can increase bleeding risk, the nurse should teach the client to report black or tarry stools immediately.