A nurse is teaching a class at a local senior center regarding safety in the home. A client states, “I am afraid of falling because I live alone and have no one to help me.” Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

Choice A reason: Placing the client in semi-Fowler’s position for postoperative assessment is appropriate, promoting lung expansion and reducing aspiration risk. This aligns with standard care, supporting respiratory function and comfort, requiring no further instruction as it reflects safe, evidence-based practice.
Choice B reason: Auscultating lungs without lifting the gown may reduce clarity but is not unsafe. It preserves modesty and is acceptable if effective. While lifting the gown is preferred, this action poses minimal risk, requiring less instruction compared to errors with immediate safety implications.
Choice C reason: Administering an enema without checking for contraindications, like bowel obstruction, risks complications such as perforation. This reflects poor assessment, necessitating instruction to ensure the nurse verifies patient safety and chart details before invasive procedures to prevent harm.
Choice D reason: Checking vital signs before cardiac medication is correct, ensuring safety (e.g., withholding beta-blockers for low heart rate). This follows pharmacological protocols, requiring no instruction, as it demonstrates competence in safe medication administration practices on a medical-surgical unit.

Choice A reason: A BMI of 32 indicates obesity, a risk factor for surgical wound infections due to impaired tissue perfusion, reduced immune response, and prolonged healing. Excess adipose tissue increases infection likelihood, aligning with evidence-based risk factors, making this the correct finding to identify.
Choice B reason: A temperature of 36.8°C is normal and does not indicate infection risk. Fever (>38°C) post-surgery might suggest infection, but this value reflects stable physiology, making it an incorrect indicator for assessing wound infection risk in this client.
Choice C reason: A white blood cell count of 8,000/mm³ is within normal range (5,000-10,000/mm³) and does not indicate infection risk. Elevated counts suggest active infection, but this value is unremarkable, making it incorrect for identifying infection risk post-surgery.
Choice D reason: A blood glucose of 90 mg/dL is normal (74-106 mg/dL) and does not increase infection risk. Hyperglycemia (>140 mg/dL) impairs immune function, but this value indicates good control, making it incorrect for assessing wound infection risk.