A 6-week-old infant with poor weight gain is scheduled for a pyloromyotomy. Which pre-operative nursing action has the highest priority?

Choice A reason: Reinforcing need for adequate hydration is not the most important action for the nurse to implement, as this is a general recommendation for all clients and does not address the specific needs of this client. This is a distractor choice.

Choice B reason: Providing typed instructions for healthy diet selection is not the most important action for the nurse to implement, as this may not be feasible or accessible for this client who lives in a poor neighborhood and may have limited resources and literacy. This is another distractor choice.

Choice C reason: Scheduling follow-up appointments with specialists is the most important action for the nurse to implement, as this can ensure that this client receives continuous and comprehensive care for their complex and chronic conditions, which can improve their outcomes and quality of life. Therefore, this is the correct choice.

Choice D reason: Demonstrating specific breathing and walking exercises is not the most important action for the nurse to implement, as this can be done by other health care professionals or at home by the client. This is another distractor choice.

Choice A reason: Remove the catheter and palpate the client’s bladder for residual distention. This is not the best action, as it may cause discomfort and trauma to the client. The catheter should not be removed until the bladder is fully emptied or up to 1,000 mL of urine is drained, as removing it too soon may cause urinary retention or infection.

Choice B reason: Allow the bladder to empty completely or up to 1,000 mL of urine. This is the best action, as it can prevent bladder spasms, overdistention, or rupture. The nurse should monitor the urine output and color, and document the amount and characteristics of urine drained.

Choice C reason: Clamp the catheter for thirty minutes and then resume draining. This is not the best action, as it may cause pain and discomfort to the client. The catheter should not be clamped unless ordered by the healthcare provider, as clamping it may increase the risk of infection or bladder damage.

Choice D reason: Remove the catheter and replace with an indwelling catheter. This is not the best action, as it may cause unnecessary exposure and trauma to the client. The catheter should not be replaced unless ordered by the healthcare provider, as replacing it may increase the risk of infection or urethral injury.