A nurse is evaluating the plan of care during a postoperative visit for a client who had a retinal reattachment procedure. Which of the following statements indicates the client is following the instructions in the plan of care?

A. Administer pain medication as needed. Rationale: Pain management is essential for clients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) to ensure their comfort and to prevent agitation or increased intracranial pressure (ICP) due to pain. Administering pain medication as needed helps alleviate discomfort and promotes rest, which supports the client's recovery.

B. Maintain ventriculostomy at the correct position. Rationale: Ventriculostomy, also known as an external ventricular drain (EVD), is a critical component of managing intracranial pressure (ICP) in clients with traumatic brain injury. Maintaining the ventriculostomy at the correct position ensures accurate monitoring and drainage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which helps control ICP levels and prevents complications such as cerebral edema.

C. Maintain the neck in the midline position. Rationale: Keeping the neck in a midline position is essential for clients with traumatic brain injury to prevent further injury to the cervical spine. Proper alignment of the neck helps maintain spinal stability and reduces the risk of exacerbating any existing spinal cord injury, which may coexist with the traumatic brain injury.

D. Elevate the head of the bed to 30 degrees. Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed to 30 degrees is recommended for clients with traumatic brain injury to promote cerebral venous drainage and reduce intracranial pressure (ICP). This position helps optimize cerebral perfusion and minimizes the risk of cerebral edema, which can occur with increased ICP.

E. Maintain enteral feedings. Rationale: Nutritional support is crucial for clients with traumatic brain injury to support healing and recovery. Enteral feedings, such as tube feedings, may be necessary if the client is unable to consume adequate nutrition orally due to impaired swallowing or altered consciousness. Providing enteral feedings ensures the client receives essential nutrients to support tissue repair and prevent malnutrition-related complications during the recovery process.

A. "I stopped taking aspirin last week.": Stopping aspirin medication prior to surgery is often advised to reduce the risk of bleeding during and after the procedure. The nurse may confirm the timing of discontinuation with the client and verify if any other anticoagulant medications are being taken.

B. "I did not put my contact lenses in this morning.": Removing contact lenses before surgery is a routine precaution to prevent potential corneal abrasions or complications during the procedure. This statement indicates the client is following preoperative instructions.

C. "I took my blood pressure meds with a sip of water.": Taking blood pressure medications with a small amount of water is generally acceptable before surgery. However, the nurse may verify the specific medications the client is taking and their dosing schedule to ensure compliance.

D. "I had a cough and runny nose a couple days ago.": This statement requires further investigation as respiratory symptoms, such as cough and runny nose, may indicate an underlying respiratory infection. Infections can increase the risk of complications during surgery, such as anesthesia-related respiratory issues or postoperative infections. The nurse should assess the severity and duration of the symptoms, inquire about any fever or recent exposure to illnesses, and consider notifying the surgical team for further evaluation and decision-making regarding the client's surgical readiness.