A nurse is collecting data about a client’s oral care. The client wears dentures and reports having mouth sores.
The nurse should identify which of the following oral care practices by the client as a possible cause of the mouth sores?

It's common practice to check blood pressure in both arms when there is a significant discrepancy in blood pressure readings between the arms. This discrepancy could be due to factors like arterial blockages or other conditions. By measuring the blood pressure in the other arm, the nurse can confirm whether the high blood pressure is consistent on both sides or if there was an issue with the initial measurement. This step helps provide a more accurate assessment of the client's blood pressure.

- The other options are not appropriate at this stage:

Deflating the cuff faster may not resolve the issue and could lead to inaccurate measurements.

Requesting a prescription for an antihypertensive medication should only be done after confirming the blood pressure is consistently elevated and under the direction of a healthcare provider.

Using a narrower cuff is not indicated in this situation. It's more important to assess the other arm's blood pressure to identify any discrepancies.

The correct answer is choice C. The client who says “I need to learn how to perform a dressing change on my leg” is indicating an acceptance of the limb loss and a readiness to learn self-care skills.

This is a positive sign of coping and adaptation after an amputation surgery.

Choice A is wrong because the client who says “I am going to have to find someone who can take care of my leg at home” is expressing dependency and denial of the limb loss.

The client needs to be encouraged to participate in self-care activities and rehabilitation.

Choice B is wrong because the client who says “I stay awake at night because I keep thinking about my leg” is experiencing phantom limb sensation, which is a common phenomenon after amputation.

The client may benefit from pain management, distraction techniques, and counseling.

Choice D is wrong because the client who says “I know my family means well, but I don’t want visitors seeing my leg right now” is showing signs of social isolation and low self-esteem.

The client needs emotional support and reassurance from the nurse and family members.

Normal ranges for vital signs after amputation are blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg, pulse 60-100 beats/min, respiratory rate 12-20 breaths/min, and temperature 36.5-37.5°C.