A nurse is caring for a client who has limited mobility. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to maintain the client's skin integrity?

The correct answer is choice A: "Perform muscle relaxation before bedtime."

Choice A rationale:

Suggesting to the client to "Perform muscle relaxation before bedtime" is a helpful recommendation. Muscle relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation or deep breathing exercises, can help calm the body and mind, making it easier to fall asleep.

Choice B rationale:

Advising the client to "Exercise vigorously 1 hour prior to going to bed" is not recommended. Vigorous exercise close to bedtime can actually stimulate the body and make it harder to fall asleep. Gentle, non-strenuous activities are more suitable before bedtime.

Choice C rationale:

Recommending the client to "Drink a cup of hot chocolate at bedtime" is not ideal. Hot chocolate contains caffeine, which is a stimulant that can interfere with sleep. It's better to avoid caffeine-containing beverages close to bedtime.

Choice D rationale:

Suggesting the client to "Change the time you go to sleep each day" disrupts the body's internal clock and sleep-wake cycle. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends, helps regulate the body's natural sleep patterns.

The correct answer is choice B: Ask the client what they already know about meal planning.

Choice A rationale:

Using pictures of different food groups can be helpful in teaching about carbohydrate counting, but it's important to assess the client's current knowledge and understanding before introducing new information. Starting with this approach might overwhelm the client or duplicate information they already possess.

Choice B rationale:

This is the correct choice. Before providing education, it's crucial to assess the client's baseline knowledge. By asking the client what they already know about meal planning, the nurse can tailor the teaching plan to fill in any gaps and avoid presenting redundant information. This approach respects the client's current understanding and focuses on addressing their specific needs.

Choice C rationale:

Giving the client a brochure with sample menus can be helpful once the nurse has assessed the client's knowledge and educational needs. However, providing the brochure as the first action might not be effective if the client already has some understanding of meal planning or if the brochure does not address the client's specific questions.

Choice D rationale:

Involving the family in the discussion of the client's meal plan is important for long-term support, but it shouldn't be the first action. First, the nurse should ensure that the client's own understanding and preferences are addressed before considering input from family members.