A patient had abdominal surgery for gastrostomy tube placement and has enteral feedings in fusing at 75ml/hr. She is stating that she is" nauseated and has vomited twice". After completing your assessment, you note that her abdomen is distended, and she has had 5-7 loose and runny stools over the last 24 hours. What is the next action for the nurse to take?

a) How to order food from dietary: While nutrition is important for overall health, it does not specifically address the needs of an older adult with a UTI.

b) Encourage appropriate perineal care: Older adults are at a higher risk for UTIs due to factors like incontinence, weakened immune systems, and difficulty with personal hygiene. Teaching proper perineal care can help prevent UTIs.

c) Encourage tub bath instead of showers: Showers are generally safer than tub baths, especially for older adults, to prevent falls. There is no direct benefit to promoting tub baths for UTIs.

d) Void every 6 hours: Encouraging older adults to void every 6 hours may not be ideal for everyone, especially those with incontinence or decreased bladder capacity. The focus should be on adequate hydration and timely voiding based on individual needs.

a) "Have you been having diarrhea?" This is a risk factor or cause of hypokalemia but not a symptom of it. Good to ask, but not the most direct sign.

b) "Have you been experiencing difficulty breathing?" Severe hypokalemia can lead to respiratory muscle weakness, but it is not a common early symptom.

c) "Have you been experiencing chest pain?" Chest pain is not a common symptom of hypokalemia. It could signal cardiac issues, but not specific to low potassium.

d) "Have you been experiencing muscle weakness or leg cramps?" Classic symptoms of hypokalemia due to potassium’s role in muscle contraction and nerve conduction.