The nurse cares for a client with 0.9% sodium chloride infusing at 125 mL/h. 2 hours after the infusion was started, the client’s central venous pressure (CVP) reading is 16 cm H2O. It is MOST important for the nurse to take which action?

Choice A reason: Hypercalcemia is not associated with ulcerative colitis, which affects the colon and causes diarrhea. Bloody stools are typical, making this incorrect, as it’s unrelated to the nurse’s expected findings in a client with ulcerative colitis during assessment.

Choice B reason: Hypernatremia may occur with dehydration but isn’t specific to ulcerative colitis. Frequent bloody stools are hallmark signs, making this incorrect, as it’s not a primary finding compared to the nurse’s expected manifestations in ulcerative colitis diagnosis.

Choice C reason: Frothy, fatty stools indicate malabsorption, typical in Crohn’s or pancreatic issues, not ulcerative colitis. Bloody stools are correct, making this incorrect, as it doesn’t align with the nurse’s anticipated findings in a client with ulcerative colitis.

Choice D reason: Bloody stool is a classic finding in ulcerative colitis due to mucosal inflammation and ulceration. This aligns with gastrointestinal assessment, making it a correct finding the nurse would determine is consistent with the client’s ulcerative colitis diagnosis.

Choice E reason: 10 to 20 liquid stools daily reflect severe diarrhea, a key feature of ulcerative colitis exacerbations. This aligns with clinical manifestations, making it a correct finding the nurse would identify in a client diagnosed with ulcerative colitis during assessment.

Choice F reason: Right lower quadrant pain is more typical of Crohn’s or appendicitis, not ulcerative colitis, which affects the left colon. Left quadrant pain is correct, making this incorrect, as it doesn’t support the nurse’s findings for ulcerative colitis diagnosis.

Choice G reason: Left lower quadrant pain is consistent with ulcerative colitis, as inflammation often affects the sigmoid colon. This aligns with abdominal assessment, making it a correct finding the nurse would expect in a client with ulcerative colitis during evaluation.

Choice A reason: Evaluating pain level requires RN judgment, though assisting with ambulation is within the LPN’s scope. Medication administration is fully delegable, making this incorrect, as it includes an assessment task beyond the LPN’s role in post-operative care.

Choice B reason: Administering prescribed medication and monitoring for side effects is within the LPN’s scope, ensuring safe delegation. This aligns with post-operative care protocols, making it the correct task the nurse can safely delegate to the LPN for the knee replacement patient.

Choice C reason: A full head-to-toe assessment and identifying complications require RN expertise, exceeding LPN scope. Medication administration is appropriate, making this incorrect, as it’s an improper delegation for the nurse to assign to the LPN post-surgery.

Choice D reason: Educating on discharge instructions involves teaching and evaluation, an RN responsibility. Administering medication is within LPN scope, making this incorrect, as it’s not a safe task for the nurse to delegate to the LPN for the patient.