A nurse is caring for a client who is on fall precautions. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. Offer the client's meals on a different schedule. Changing the schedule may not address the core issue if the meals themselves do not align with the client’s preferences or cultural needs. It is not the most effective initial approach.
B. Discuss the client's food preferences with the hospital's dietitian. Collaborating with a dietitian allows for the modification of the meal plan to better align with the client’s preferences while still meeting nutritional and medical requirements. This supports client-centered care and improves adherence.
C. Request the provider change the client's prescribed diet. The provider may be involved later if significant changes are needed, but the dietitian is the appropriate first contact for customizing a prescribed diet based on individual preferences.
D. Allow the client's family to bring food from home for the client. While this can be an option, it must first be approved by the healthcare team to ensure the food aligns with the therapeutic diet and does not compromise the client’s condition.

• Postoperative ileus: Ileus is a common complication after abdominal surgery due to anesthesia, opioid use, and limited mobility. It presents as delayed return of bowel function, marked by absent bowel sounds and abdominal discomfort. In this case, the child has absent bowel sounds and increasing tenderness, supporting this risk.
• Atelectasis: Atelectasis generally presents with diminished breath sounds and hypoxia, not clear breath sounds. Although the child has shallow respirations and is refusing the incentive spirometer, there are no respiratory findings such as decreased oxygen saturation or adventitious breath sounds that support this condition currently.
• Peritonitis: Peritonitis would present with systemic symptoms like fever, severe abdominal pain, rebound tenderness, or signs of sepsis. The child has mild abdominal tenderness and stable vital signs, which do not indicate peritoneal inflammation at this time.
• Urinary retention: This would be characterized by lack of urination, bladder distension, or discomfort—none of which are noted in the scenario. The child’s urinary output and bladder status are not identified as concerns, making this diagnosis unlikely.
• Absent bowel sounds: This is a key clinical sign of ileus. After surgery, bowel activity should return gradually. Continued absence of sounds, especially along with abdominal tenderness, strongly indicates impaired gastrointestinal motility.
• Shallow respirations: While shallow breathing is often a contributing factor to respiratory complications, in the context of abdominal surgery, it also limits diaphragmatic movement, which can further suppress bowel activity and contribute to postoperative ileus.
• Clear breath sounds: This is a normal respiratory finding and does not support the presence of atelectasis or other pulmonary complications. It suggests that lung fields are adequately ventilated despite shallow breathing.
• Intact abdominal dressing: This is an expected postoperative finding and does not support a diagnosis of infection, wound complication, or ileus. It indicates proper surgical wound healing.