A nurse is caring for a client with numerous episodes of watery diarrhea. The client reports eating some spoiled deli meat earlier in the day. The client asks if they should take loperamide (Imodium) to stop the diarrhea. What would be an appropriate response from the nurse?

Choice A Reason:

When calculating the fluid balance for a client undergoing continuous bladder irrigation (CBI), the irrigation solution must be deducted from the total urine output. This is because the irrigation fluid is not part of the client’s actual urine production but is an additional fluid introduced into the bladder to prevent or remove blood clots and ensure catheter patency. By deducting the irrigation solution from the total urine output, the nurse can accurately determine the client’s true urine output and fluid balance.

Choice B Reason:

Subtracting the irrigation solution from the intravenous flow sheet as output is incorrect. The intravenous flow sheet is used to document fluids administered intravenously, not those introduced into the bladder. Therefore, this choice does not apply to the management of continuous bladder irrigation.

Choice C Reason:

Documenting the intake hourly in the urine output column is also incorrect. The urine output column should reflect the actual urine produced by the client, not the irrigation solution. Including the irrigation solution in this column would lead to an inaccurate representation of the client’s urine output and fluid balance.

Choice D Reason:

Adding the irrigation solution to the oral intake column is incorrect as well. The oral intake column is designated for fluids consumed orally by the client. The irrigation solution is introduced directly into the bladder and should not be recorded as oral intake.

Choice A Reason:

Repeating auscultation after asking the client to take a deep breath and cough is the first intervention the nurse should take. This action helps to clear any secretions or mucus that might be causing the crackles. If the crackles persist after the client coughs, it indicates that the sounds are likely due to fluid in the lungs, which requires further assessment and intervention. This step ensures that the nurse accurately identifies the cause of the crackles before proceeding with other interventions.

Choice B Reason:

Instructing the client to limit fluid intake to less than 2,000 mL/day might be appropriate in cases of fluid overload or heart failure, but it is not the first intervention. The nurse needs to confirm the cause of the crackles before making any recommendations about fluid intake. Limiting fluid intake without proper assessment could lead to dehydration and other complications.

Choice C Reason:

Placing the client on bed rest in semi-Fowler’s position can help improve lung expansion and oxygenation by reducing pressure on the diaphragm. However, this is not the first intervention. The nurse should first determine if the crackles are due to secretions that can be cleared by coughing. Semi-Fowler’s position is beneficial for patients with respiratory distress, but it does not address the immediate need to reassess lung sounds.

Choice D Reason:

Preparing to administer antibiotics is not the first intervention. Antibiotics are used to treat infections, and the nurse needs to confirm whether the crackles are due to an infection or another cause before administering medication. Immediate administration of antibiotics without proper assessment could lead to inappropriate treatment and antibiotic resistance.