After reviewing the history of a group of clients, which client should the nurse identify as having the greatest risk for cancer?

A. Apply a zinc-based cream with brief changes. Zinc-based creams create a protective barrier against moisture and irritation from incontinence. This helps prevent skin breakdown by reducing the effects of prolonged exposure to urine and stool.
B. Apply powder to the perineum. Powder can cause clumping when mixed with moisture, increasing friction and leading to skin irritation. It is not the preferred method for preventing skin breakdown in incontinent patients.
C. Provide a donut-shaped pillow to sit on. Donut-shaped pillows create pressure points around the edges, which can worsen pressure injuries rather than prevent them. A pressure-relieving cushion is a better alternative.
D. Use an antimicrobial soap to clean skin. Harsh soaps can strip the skin of its natural protective oils, leading to dryness and irritation. A mild, pH-balanced cleanser is recommended for skin care.
E. Place a foam pad on the bed. Foam pads help redistribute pressure and reduce friction, lowering the risk of pressure injuries for patients who have limited mobility and spend extended time in bed.
F. Ensure the client slides up in bed on their own. Allowing the client to slide in bed increases friction and shearing forces, leading to skin breakdown. Assisted repositioning is necessary to prevent injury.
G. Two-person assist to move up in bed using a slide sheet. Using a slide sheet with assistance minimizes friction and shear, which are significant contributors to pressure ulcers. This method helps protect fragile skin.
H. Elevate the head of the bed above 30 degrees. Elevating the bed above 30 degrees increases pressure on the sacrum and coccyx, heightening the risk of skin breakdown. A lower elevation is preferred unless contraindicated.
I. Request a physical therapy consult. A physical therapy consult can help improve mobility, strength, and positioning techniques, reducing prolonged pressure on vulnerable areas and promoting skin integrity.

A. Auscultate for bowel sounds. While monitoring for postoperative ileus is important, it is not the priority intervention in a patient who is suddenly confused and lethargic after hip surgery. Avascular complications, fat embolism, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are more immediate concerns.
B. Compare pedal pulses bilaterally. A sudden change in mental status after hip arthroplasty could indicate a fat embolism or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) leading to pulmonary embolism. Comparing bilateral pedal pulses helps assess for signs of vascular impairment or embolic complications, which are serious postoperative risks. Fat embolism syndrome (FES) can cause confusion, lethargy, and respiratory distress, requiring immediate intervention.
C. Observe the surgical incision. While assessing for infection or bleeding is important, these complications do not typically cause sudden confusion and lethargy. Systemic embolic events or impaired circulation are more critical to assess first.
D. Assess mobility of the right leg. Evaluating mobility is part of routine post-arthroplasty care, but it does not directly address the sudden mental status changes seen in this patient. Assessing circulation and embolic risk takes priority.