A nurse is planning care for a client who has urinary incontinence. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the client's plan of care?

A. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act requires that emergency care be provided regardless of the client’s behavior, as long as the client is seeking treatment for an emergency medical condition.

B. EMTALA requires that a client receive a medical screening and stabilization before being transferred, regardless of whether the condition is terminal. A terminal diagnosis does not justify transferring a client without stabilization first.

C. EMTALA prohibits discrimination based on a client’s ability to pay. A client cannot be transferred or discharged from an emergency department based on their inability to pay for services.

D. EMTALA requires that a client must be stabilized before being transferred to another facility. This ensures that the client is not placed at risk by the transfer, and the new facility is prepared to manage their care appropriately.

A. Administer acetaminophen: Acetaminophen is useful for fever, but it does not improve respiratory status. The priority is to promote lung expansion and prevent complications like atelectasis, which is achieved through deep breathing, coughing, and ambulation.

B. Instruct the client to use the incentive spirometer five times per hour: Using the incentive spirometer frequently helps to expand the lungs and reduce the risk of atelectasis, a common postoperative complication. This intervention encourages deep breathing and improves oxygenation, which is essential for the client’s respiratory status.

C. Ambulate the client 30 min after administering analgesia: Ambulation promotes deep breathing and lung expansion, and it helps to mobilize secretions. Administering analgesia before ambulation ensures that the client is comfortable enough to participate in this activity.

D. Encourage the client to cough and breathe deeply: Encouraging deep breathing and coughing helps clear secretions from the lungs and promotes better oxygenation. This helps prevent respiratory complications especially after surgery when lung expansion is compromised.

E. Administer ondansetron: While ondansetron is necessary for controlling nausea, it does not directly improve the client’s respiratory status. However, if nausea is under control, the client may be more willing to participate in activities that promote lung expansion.

F. Administer supplemental oxygen: The current oxygen saturation of 92% is slightly low but not critical. The priority is to improve the client’s respiratory status through physical activity and breathing exercises before considering oxygen supplementation.

G. Encourage the client to splint the abdomen: Splinting the abdomen with a pillow while coughing or deep breathing reduces discomfort, especially after abdominal surgery. This technique helps the client engage in deep breathing and coughing more effectively.