A nurse is caring for a newly admitted older adult client.

Nurses' Notes

Day 1, 12:00:

Transferred to the medical-surgical unit from the emergency department (ED) for continued care following a closed reduction and immobilization of a fracture of the right arm. Accompanied by an adult child.

Client in visibly soiled night clothes with multiple stains, including what appears to be dried blood. Hair, teeth, and fingernails unclean. Strong body odor noted. Bruising of various stages noted around upper arms, back, shoulders, and neck area.

The client is soft-spoken, speaks almost in a whisper, and does not make eye contact with the nurse.

The client looks at their child before answering the nurse's questions and, when asked how the injury occurred, mumbles "I don't know. Ask them." The client's child states, "He gets confused sometimes. I can answer your questions."

Which of the following interventions should the nurse recommend to include in the client's plan of care?

Select all that apply.

The correct answer is: a. Clean the stoma using an inward to outward circular motion.

Title: Choice A reason: Cleaning the stoma with an inward to outward circular motion is a recommended practice to prevent infection and ensure that any debris or secretions are cleared away from the tracheostomy site. This method helps to minimize the risk of introducing pathogens directly into the stoma and is considered a best practice in tracheostomy care.

Title: Choice B reason: Cleansing the inner cannula with isopropyl alcohol is not recommended because it can cause irritation to the tracheal mucosa. Instead, sterile saline is typically used for cleaning the inner cannula to avoid any potential damage to the tracheal tissues and to maintain a safe and comfortable environment for the patient.

Title: Choice C reason: Ensuring at least three finger widths of space under tracheostomy ties is not the standard practice. The recommended space is to allow one to two finger widths under the tracheostomy ties to ensure they are secure but not too tight, which could lead to skin breakdown or discomfort for the patient.

Title: Choice D reason: Preparing sterile supplies should be done before removing the inner cannula, not after. This is to ensure that all necessary supplies are ready to use immediately after the inner cannula is removed, minimizing the time the stoma is open and reducing the risk of infection.

Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord that can cause inflammation and damage to the nervous system.

Nuchal rigidity refers to stiffness and pain in the neck that makes it difficult to flex the neck forward. This finding is indicative of inflammation of the meninges and is a classic sign of meningitis.

Pedal edema refers to swelling of the feet and ankles and can be caused by various conditions such as heart, liver, or kidney problems.

Jaundice refers to yellowing of the skin and eyes and can be caused by liver or bile duct disease.

Hematuria refers to the presence of blood in the urine and can be caused by various conditions such as urinary tract infections, kidney stones, or bladder cancer. These findings are not related to bacterial meningitis and may suggest other health concerns that require further evaluation and management.