A nurse is making a home care visit to a client with a hearing deficit.
What is the best thing she can do to facilitate communication with the client?

Choice A rationale

Emptying a Foley catheter bag and reporting the urine volume is a routine task that does not require complex assessment or clinical judgment. Unlicensed care providers are typically trained in this procedure and can accurately measure and report the output to the nurse.

Choice B rationale

Helping a first-time mother achieve a good latch during breastfeeding requires specialized knowledge and assessment skills to ensure proper positioning and infant feeding. This task involves teaching and evaluating, which falls within the scope of nursing practice and should not be delegated to an unlicensed care provider.

Choice C rationale

Assessing the size and quantity of blood clots in a postpartum client's bedpan requires clinical judgment to determine if the findings are within normal limits or indicative of a potential complication. This assessment should be performed by a registered nurse who can interpret the findings in the context of the client's overall condition.

Choice D rationale

Administering medication, including anti-inflammatory drugs, is a nursing responsibility that requires knowledge of pharmacology, potential side effects, and client assessment. Medication administration should not be delegated to unlicensed care providers. .

Choice A rationale

Vitamin C is an important antioxidant and plays a role in collagen synthesis and immune function. While individuals with alcoholism may have poor nutrition and potential vitamin deficiencies, thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency is a more immediate and critical concern due to its role in glucose metabolism and the risk of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Choice B rationale

Thiamine deficiency is common in individuals with chronic alcoholism due to poor dietary intake, impaired absorption, and increased utilization of thiamine in metabolizing alcohol. Intramuscular administration ensures adequate absorption, and the frequency addresses the ongoing need to prevent or treat Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a serious neurological disorder.

Choice C rationale

Magnesium deficiency is also common in alcoholics due to poor intake, increased urinary excretion, and gastrointestinal losses. While a one-time intravenous dose of magnesium sulfate can help replete levels and prevent complications like seizures, it does not address the chronic nature of the deficiency and the need for ongoing management.

Choice D rationale

Albumin is a plasma protein that can be low in individuals with chronic liver disease, which can be associated with alcoholism. However, a one-time infusion of albumin primarily addresses low oncotic pressure and fluid shifts and is not a standard initial treatment for alcoholism itself. Addressing thiamine deficiency is a more immediate priority to prevent neurological complications.