A nurse is caring for a client who has been receiving epoetin alfa in preparation for a hip arthroplasty. Which of the following findings indicate that the medication has been effective?

Choice A rationale: Applying an estrogen vaginal cream daily is not a risk factor for osteoporosis. In fact, estrogen can help maintain bone density.

Choice B rationale: Including canned sardines in the diet provides calcium and vitamin D, which are beneficial for bone health.

Choice C rationale: Walking 30 minutes per day is a weight-bearing exercise that helps maintain bone density and is beneficial for preventing osteoporosis.

Choice D rationale: Using a beclomethasone inhaler (a corticosteroid) can be a risk factor for osteoporosis, especially if used long-term, as corticosteroids can lead to bone loss.

Elevate the head of the client's bed for 1 hr after the feeding. This is because elevating the head of the client's bed to at least 30 degrees can help prevent aspiration and gastric reflux.

Choice B is incorrect because administering the feeding solution at a cold temperature can cause discomfort and diarrhea.

Choice C is incorrect because rotating the jejunostomy tube once per day can cause irritation and trauma to the stoma site.

Choice D is incorrect because flushing the tube with 90 mL of sterile water before and after the feeding is not necessary as long as the tube is adequately flushed before and after each feeding.

The explanation for why the other choices are not answered: B – Administering the feeding solution at a cold temperature can cause discomfort and diarrhea, so it should not be done. C – Rotating the jejunostomy tube once per day can cause irritation and trauma to the stoma site, so this is not the correct action. D – Flushing the tube with 90 mL of sterile water before and after the feeding is unnecessary to do as long as the tube is adequately flushed before and after each feeding. Thus, this is not the correct answer.