A nurse is providing discharge instructions to the parent of a 10yearold child following a cardiac catheterization. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

A. 1 cup canned black beans. Black beans are a rich source of iron, particularly nonheme iron, which can help replenish iron stores in clients with iron deficiency anemia. To enhance absorption, they should be consumed with a source of vitamin C, such as citrus fruits or tomatoes.
B. 8 oz whole milk. While milk is nutritious, it is not a good source of iron and can actually interfere with iron absorption due to its high calcium content. Excessive milk intake is a common cause of iron deficiency anemia, particularly in children.
C. 1.5 oz raisins. Raisins contain some iron, but the amount is relatively low compared to other ironrich foods. While they can be included as part of an ironrich diet, they should not be relied upon as a primary source of iron.
D. 8 oz black tea. Black tea contains tannins, which inhibit iron absorption by binding to nonheme iron in the intestines. Clients with iron deficiency anemia should be advised to avoid drinking tea with meals to maximize iron absorption.

A. Chest tube drainage. While monitoring chest tube output is crucial to detect complications like hemorrhage or pneumothorax, oxygenation and ventilation take priority immediately after surgery. Chest tube function should be assessed regularly, but it is not the highest priority in the immediate postoperative period.
B. Pain level. Effective pain management is essential for breathing, mobility, and recovery, but it is secondary to assessing respiratory function. Inadequate pain control can lead to shallow breathing and atelectasis, but oxygenation and perfusion must be ensured first.
C. Urinary output. Monitoring urinary output is necessary to assess renal perfusion and fluid status, but it is not the most critical in the immediate postoperative period following thoracic surgery. Oxygenation issues take precedence over kidney function unless there are signs of acute renal failure.
D. Arterial blood gases (ABGs). ABGs provide critical information about oxygenation, ventilation, and acidbase balance, which are the highest priorities after a thoracotomy and lobectomy. Postoperative patients are at risk for hypoxemia, hypercapnia, and respiratory acidosis due to lung resection, anesthesia effects, and impaired ventilation. Monitoring ABGs allows for timely interventions such as oxygen therapy, ventilatory support, or repositioning to optimize gas exchange.