In planning care for a client with chronic ulcerative colitis, which long-term goal is most important for the nurse to include?

Choice A reason: Reducing the client's interaction with others during the day can potentially isolate the client and exacerbate feelings of agitation and confusion. Social interaction is important for cognitive stimulation and emotional well-being, even for clients with Alzheimer's disease.

Choice B reason: Awaking the client for reality checks every 4 hours at night can disrupt the client's sleep pattern, leading to increased agitation and confusion. Proper rest is crucial for clients with Alzheimer's disease to help manage their symptoms effectively.

Choice C reason: Clarifying reality with the client about delusional thoughts can sometimes increase agitation if not done sensitively. Clients with Alzheimer's disease may not respond well to direct confrontation about their delusions. It is often more effective to use techniques that do not directly challenge their perception of reality.

Choice D reason: Using distraction and therapeutic communication skills is the best approach. This strategy helps redirect the client's attention to a different, more calming activity, which can reduce agitation. Therapeutic communication involves understanding and validating the client's feelings while gently guiding them towards a more positive state. This approach respects the client's experience and provides support without escalating their agitation.

Choice A reason: Asking about the consumption of milk or dairy products is not directly related to the client's serum sodium level. Dairy intake does not typically cause significant changes in sodium levels. Therefore, this question would not help in identifying the cause of the hyponatremia.

Choice B reason: This question is most relevant because excessive water or ice chip intake can lead to dilutional hyponatremia. Ingestion of large amounts of water can dilute the sodium concentration in the blood, resulting in a low serum sodium level. Identifying excessive fluid intake is critical in determining if this is the cause of the client's hyponatremia.

Choice C reason: Inquiring about the number of fresh vegetables in the client's diet is more related to overall nutrition rather than directly linked to sodium levels. While vegetables can be part of a healthy diet, this question would not specifically address the cause of a low serum sodium level.

Choice D reason: The frequency of consuming processed or canned foods, which are typically high in sodium, would generally be expected to increase serum sodium levels rather than decrease them. Therefore, this question does not directly address the issue of a low sodium level.