A nurse is planning an in-service about foot care for a group of clients who have peripheral neuropathy. Which of the following information should the nurse include?

A. Place the client in a side-lying position: Positioning the client on their side is the priority because it helps maintain airway safety and prevents aspiration during oral care. This step must be done first before beginning the cleaning process.

B. Clean the client's mouth with foam swabs: Oral cleaning is important to reduce bacterial growth and maintain comfort, but it should only be performed after the client is positioned safely to avoid aspiration.

C. Position an emesis basin under the client's chin: The emesis basin helps catch secretions and cleaning solution, but this is a supportive measure that comes after ensuring the client’s airway protection through proper positioning.

D. Place a towel under the client's head: A towel provides comfort and helps keep linens dry, but it is a secondary measure. Airway protection through positioning always takes priority before comfort and cleanliness.

A. Strong, bounding pulse: Hypokalemia causes weak, thready, or irregular pulses due to its effects on cardiac muscle excitability. A strong, bounding pulse is more characteristic of hypervolemia or other cardiovascular conditions.

B. Positive Chvostek's sign: A positive Chvostek’s sign is associated with hypocalcemia, not hypokalemia. It indicates neuromuscular excitability due to low calcium levels.

C. Hyperactive reflexes: Hypokalemia generally causes muscle weakness, fatigue, and diminished or hypoactive reflexes rather than hyperactive reflexes.

D. Decreased bowel sounds: Low potassium levels reduce smooth muscle excitability in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to decreased peristalsis and hypoactive bowel sounds, which is a common finding in hypokalemia.