A nurse is teaching a client who has multiple sclerosis. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A reason: A single light fixture along the sidewalk provides limited illumination, insufficient for comprehensive safety. Multiple, evenly spaced lights are needed to prevent falls, especially for older adults. Inadequate lighting increases risks of trips or assaults, indicating the client’s understanding of outdoor safety is incomplete and does not fully address home safety needs.
Choice B reason: Changing smoke alarm batteries annually ensures functional alarms, reducing fire-related mortality by 50%. Regular maintenance supports early smoke detection, enabling timely evacuation or response. This action reflects a strong understanding of fire safety, a critical home safety component, making it the best indicator of the client’s safety awareness.
Choice C reason: A small area rug at the front door poses a tripping hazard, particularly for those with mobility issues. Loose rugs can lead to falls, causing injuries like fractures. This finding suggests the client does not fully understand fall prevention, a key aspect of home safety, making it an incorrect indicator of safety awareness.
Choice D reason: Securing electrical cords under furniture risks fire hazards if cords are damaged or pinched, potentially causing electrical shorts. Cords should be secured along walls or with covers to prevent tripping without compromising safety. This indicates a misunderstanding of electrical safety, increasing fire or injury risks, and is not a correct safety measure.

Choice A reason: Fructose corn syrup exacerbates irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, as fermentable carbohydrates cause gas and bloating. IBS involves altered gut motility and microbiota, and high-fructose foods trigger visceral hypersensitivity, worsening abdominal pain and discomfort, making this an inappropriate dietary recommendation.
Choice B reason: Gluten-rich foods may worsen IBS in clients with non-celiac gluten sensitivity, causing bloating and diarrhea. Gluten disrupts gut motility in susceptible individuals, exacerbating IBS symptoms. Avoiding gluten is often advised, making increased intake counterproductive to managing IBS effectively.
Choice C reason: Milk products, containing lactose, worsen IBS in lactose-intolerant clients, causing bloating and diarrhea. Fermentable carbohydrates exacerbate gut dysmotility and visceral hypersensitivity, common in IBS, making increased dairy intake inappropriate for symptom management and dietary control in affected clients.
Choice D reason: Bran fiber, a soluble fiber, regulates bowel movements in IBS by adding bulk and stabilizing colonic transit. It reduces diarrhea and constipation, supporting microbiota health and alleviating symptoms. This evidence-based recommendation aligns with dietary management to improve gut function in IBS clients.