The nurse is planning care for a female client with a lower urinary tract infection (UTI). Which of the following interventions should be the priority for the nurse to include in the client's plan of care?

Choice A rationale

Reducing caffeine consumption decreases bladder irritation and helps manage urinary incontinence symptoms. Caffeine stimulates bladder activity and exacerbates urgency and frequency. Clinical evidence supports its reduction as part of an effective urinary incontinence management strategy.

Choice B rationale

Grapefruit juice is acidic and irritates the bladder lining, worsening symptoms of urinary incontinence. Substituting orange juice with grapefruit juice does not mitigate bladder irritation. Both contain acids and should be avoided to manage urinary incontinence effectively. Citrus juices are contraindicated in clients managing urinary incontinence.

Choice C rationale

Kegel exercises improve pelvic floor muscle strength, reducing urinary incontinence episodes. They enhance the function of the urinary sphincter and support better bladder control. Kegel exercises are widely recommended in clinical practice for patients managing urinary incontinence and are supported by robust scientific evidence.

Choice D rationale

Scheduled bathroom visits prevent bladder overdistension and manage urinary incontinence symptoms effectively. Timed voiding trains the bladder to hold urine for specific periods, reducing the frequency of urgency episodes. It is an effective behavioral approach supported by clinical guidelines for managing urinary incontinence.

Choice A rationale

Asking about medication use for headaches provides insights into pain management strategies but does not directly address underlying causes of symptoms. Vision changes and headaches may indicate neurological or cardiovascular issues, which require immediate investigation of vital signs like blood pressure to rule out hypertension or increased intracranial pressure.

Choice B rationale

Referring the client to an eye specialist addresses vision changes but neglects the acute nature of headaches. Hypertension or elevated intracranial pressure can affect both vision and cause headaches, and immediate assessment of these factors through blood pressure is more urgent.

Choice C rationale

Obtaining blood pressure evaluates for hypertension, which can manifest with headaches and visual disturbances due to increased arterial pressure affecting cerebral and ocular vessels. Normal blood pressure ranges are typically 120/80 mmHg. Immediate blood pressure measurement prioritizes acute care and mitigates potentially life-threatening conditions.

Choice D rationale

Obtaining a full history and physical is valuable for comprehensive care but delays immediate assessment of critical symptoms such as visual changes and headaches. Measuring blood pressure provides faster evaluation of acute conditions like hypertensive crisis or stroke risk.