A nurse is caring for a client who has dehydration due to diarrhea. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

A. Encouraging the client to write about her feelings in a journal each day.: While journaling can be therapeutic, it may not be the best immediate intervention. The client may first need support and validation of her feelings before engaging in such an activity.

B. Demonstrating a nonjudgmental attitude toward the client when providing care for her surgical wounds.: This is important for maintaining therapeutic communication, but it does not address the emotional distress the client is currently experiencing.

C. Identifying the client's perception of the changes in her physical appearance.: The client is likely struggling with body image changes following a bilateral mastectomy. The priority should be to assess the client’s emotional response to her altered appearance and to offer emotional support. This provides the foundation for helping the client process her feelings.

D. Providing the client with information on community resources that will strengthen her coping skills.: While community resources can be helpful later on, the immediate priority is understanding the client’s emotional response to her surgery. Once the nurse has established the client's emotional needs, then providing resources may be more appropriate.

A. "I can prevent nausea if I take the medication on an empty stomach." This is incorrect. Taking ferrous sulfate on an empty stomach may increase the risk of gastrointestinal upset, including nausea. It is typically recommended to take it with food to reduce these side effects, although it may be less effective if taken with certain foods or beverages.

B. "I can prevent constipation if I drink more milk while taking this medication." This is incorrect. Milk can actually worsen constipation, and clients taking ferrous sulfate should focus on increasing fiber intake and drinking plenty of fluids to prevent constipation.

C. "I will report black stools to my doctor." This is correct. Black stools are a common side effect of iron supplementation, but it is essential for the client to report it to the doctor if they are concerned, as it could also indicate gastrointestinal bleeding in some cases.

D. "I will mix the medication with a full glass of water." While taking the medication with a full glass of water is appropriate, it is not the most significant instruction regarding the use of the medication. Therefore, while the answer isn't wrong, it doesn't indicate the client's understanding of the most important aspects, such as monitoring for side effects like black stools.