A nurse is planning care for a client diagnosed with systemic scleroderma. The nurse recognizes that an appropriate nursing diagnosis for systemic scleroderma is altered tissue perfusion secondary to which of the following?

Client calm not agitated. Grimaces with movement.
No change: While the client is calm and not agitated, grimacing with movement indicates continued discomfort or pain, which remains unchanged.
Oral mucous membranes dry.

No change: Dry oral mucous membranes persist, suggesting ongoing dehydration or inadequate oral hydration.
Axillary temp 102 F (38.9 C), client shivering.

Declined: The axillary temperature has increased from 100.8 F (38.22 C) to 102 F (38.9 C), indicating a worsening of the client's fever. Shivering suggests the body's attempt to generate heat in response to the fever.
Productive cough.

No change: The client continues to have a productive cough, indicating ongoing respiratory congestion or infection.
Coarse rhonchi bilaterally. Crackles in bases.

Declined: The presence of coarse rhonchi bilaterally and crackles in the bases suggests worsening respiratory status, possibly indicating progression of underlying lung disease or development of complications such as pneumonia.
Respirations irregular with periods of apnea.

Improved: The client's respirations, previously irregular with periods of apnea, are now regular, indicating an improvement in respiratory function.
Client resting in recliner. RR 12, regular.

Improved: The client's respiratory rate has decreased from 18 to 12 breaths per minute, and respirations are now regular, suggesting improved respiratory status and possibly reduced distress.

A. Client develops petechiae on the arms, legs, and abdomen: Petechiae can indicate thrombocytopenia, which may be a complication of heparin therapy but is not an urgent concern unless severe or associated with bleeding.

B. Health care provider orders Coumadin 2.5 mg P.O. to begin today: Coumadin (warfarin) is often initiated as a bridge therapy or overlap with heparin therapy in pulmonary embolism management. This order is not necessarily inappropriate and may be part of the treatment plan.

C. Client develops slight ecchymosis at the venipuncture site: Ecchymosis at the venipuncture site can occur due to minor trauma during the insertion of IV lines or blood draws and is not necessarily indicative of a complication requiring immediate notification of the healthcare provider.

D. Client's partial thromboplastin time (PTT) is 70 seconds and the control is 25-40 seconds: A significantly elevated PTT indicates a potential overdose of heparin, putting the client at risk of bleeding complications. This finding warrants immediate notification of the healthcare provider for further evaluation and possible adjustment of heparin therapy.