A nurse is caring for a client who is dying. One of the client's family members tells the nurse, "I need to help. What can I do?" Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A Reason:

"I might have headaches due to a decline in my estrogen levels." Is appropriate. During perimenopause, fluctuations and eventual decline in estrogen levels can contribute to various symptoms, including headaches or migraines, due to hormonal changes. This statement reflects an awareness of one of the possible effects of changing hormone levels during this stage.

Choice B Reason:

"The best time to perform a breast self-examination is on the first day of my period." Is not appropriate. While performing a breast self-examination regularly is essential for breast health, the first day of the period isn't necessarily the "best" time for everyone. It's more advisable to choose a consistent day each month that is convenient and easy to remember.

Choice C Reason:

"I can expect to have regular periods until I am in menopause." Is not appropriate. Perimenopause is characterized by irregular periods, which means that during this transitional phase, menstrual cycles often become less predictable in terms of timing, duration, and flow. Irregular periods are a hallmark of perimenopause, so expecting regularity until menopause is not accurate.

Choice D Reason:

"I should stop receiving Papanicolaou tests once I reach menopause." Is not appropriate. Papanicolaou (Pap) tests are essential for detecting cervical abnormalities, regardless of menopausal status. Women should continue to have regular Pap tests according to their healthcare provider's recommendations, as the risk of cervical cancer persists even after menopause.

Explanation

Choice A Reason:

A client receives burns from a heating pad is correct. Any injury or harm caused to a client due to a medical device or equipment should be documented in an incident report for evaluation and review to prevent future incidents.

Choice B Reason:

A client's visitor becomes dizzy and faints in the client's room is incorrect. While this event might prompt the nurse to provide immediate assistance and seek medical attention for the visitor, it doesn't typically fall under the purview of an incident report unless it results from an issue within the healthcare facility.

Choice C Reason:

A client becomes disoriented and falls out of bed is correct. Falls resulting in injury or harm to the client, especially due to disorientation, should be documented to assess potential preventive measures and ensure appropriate care.

Choice D Reason:

A client reports being dissatisfied with the temperature of the meals provided is incorrect. Client dissatisfaction with meal temperature is an important concern, but it's generally addressed through communication and service improvement rather than being documented in an incident report unless it poses a risk to the client's health (e.g., if the food was excessively hot, causing harm).