A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who will be using a cane to maintain mobility at home following a left knee arthroplasty. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the safe use of a cane?

Choice A rationale:

Apply the skin sealant on damp skin. Rationale: Applying skin sealant on damp skin is not the recommended approach for securing an ostomy appliance. It's important to ensure that the skin is clean and dry before applying the sealant or the skin barrier. Moisture can compromise adhesion and lead to skin irritation or appliance detachment.

Choice B rationale:

Remove the appliance before emptying the pouch. Rationale: Removing the appliance before emptying the pouch is not a necessary step when changing an ostomy appliance. Typically, the pouch can be emptied without removing the entire appliance, which helps maintain the seal and reduces unnecessary skin exposure.

Choice C rationale:

Ensure that the skin is slightly damp for better adhesion of the pouch. Rationale: Ensuring that the skin is slightly damp is not advisable for better adhesion of the pouch. The skin should be completely dry before applying the pouch to ensure proper adhesion. Moisture on the skin can lead to leakage or detachment of the appliance.

Choice D rationale:

Trace the size of stoma onto the skin barrier. Rationale: This choice is the correct answer because tracing the size of the stoma onto the skin barrier ensures a precise fit, which is crucial for preventing leaks and maintaining the integrity of the ostomy. A proper fit also helps in preventing skin irritation and discomfort. Choosing the correct barrier size based on the stoma's dimensions is a key aspect of effective ostomy care.

Choice A rationale:

Performing oral care once each day is not sufficient to reduce the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Ventilated patients are at an increased risk of developing VAP due to the presence of an endotracheal tube that bypasses the body's natural defenses. Bacteria can accumulate in the mouth and respiratory tract, leading to pneumonia. Therefore, performing oral care only once a day is inadequate for maintaining oral hygiene and preventing VAP.

Choice B rationale:

Brushing the client's teeth with a firm-bristle toothbrush can cause trauma to the oral tissues, potentially leading to bleeding and irritation. In critically ill patients with an endotracheal tube, using a firm-bristle toothbrush can exacerbate the risk of infection and VAP. It is essential to use gentle and non-traumatic methods for oral care to maintain the integrity of the oral mucosa.

Choice C rationale:

Swabbing the client's mouth with chlorhexidine solution is the correct choice. Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic solution that effectively reduces the growth of bacteria in the oral cavity. Regular use of chlorhexidine mouthwash has been shown to decrease the risk of VAP in mechanically ventilated patients. By reducing the bacterial load in the mouth, the risk of aspiration and subsequent pneumonia is lowered, making it a crucial intervention for preventing VAP.

Choice D rationale:

Raising the head of the bed by 15° for oral care is an important measure to prevent aspiration during oral care. However, it alone is not sufficient to reduce the risk of VAP. While proper head positioning helps prevent the entry of oral secretions into the lower respiratory tract, it must be combined with effective oral hygiene practices, such as using chlorhexidine solution, to comprehensively reduce the risk of VAP.