A nurse is preparing to administer a nasogastric (NG) tube feeding to a school-age child. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

A. The client engages in quiet activities in their room. While this may seem positive, it is not a reliable indicator of improvement in this context. It could suggest withdrawal or sedation rather than clinical stabilization. Further assessment would be needed to determine its significance.
B. The client slept 5 hr the previous night. This is a clear sign of improvement. The client had not slept for 2 days previously, and sleep is one of the first indicators of recovery in clients experiencing mania. Restorative sleep helps stabilize mood and reduce disorganized thinking.
C. The client takes 2 short naps during the day. Napping indicates the client is able to rest voluntarily, which contrasts with their earlier constant movement and hyperactivity. This suggests reduced mania-related agitation and increased capacity for rest.
D. The client appears to listen to unseen others. This behavior reflects ongoing hallucinations, which indicate that the client is still experiencing active psychosis. This is not an improvement and suggests further monitoring and treatment adjustment may be needed.
E. The client consumes 8 oz of high-calorie fluids each hour. Adequate nutrition and hydration are key components of recovery, especially since the client had been unable to recall their last meal and showed signs of dehydration. This is a positive sign of improved self-care and physical stability.

• Provide the client with high-calorie fluids every hr: Clients in manic states often experience poor nutritional intake due to hyperactivity and distractibility. Frequent, easy-to-consume high-calorie fluids help support caloric and hydration needs without requiring the client to sit for meals, making this an appropriate intervention.
• Minimize environmental stimuli for the client: Clients experiencing mania are often overstimulated and agitated due to their heightened sensitivity and rapid thought processes. A low-stimulation environment helps reduce agitation, prevent escalation, and promote safety.
• Weigh the client each day: While weight monitoring may be important in some psychiatric or medical conditions, daily weights are not a priority in the acute management of mania, particularly when the client is hyperactive, distracted, and unable to participate reliably. This could also increase agitation or preoccupation in some clients.
• Encourage the client to avoid napping during the day: Manic clients often suffer from significantly reduced sleep, which contributes to worsening symptoms. Encouraging rest and short naps would be more therapeutic than promoting wakefulness, so avoiding naps is contraindicated in this scenario.