When inspecting a client's abdominal contour, the nurse observes the abdomen to be sunken with the lower edges of the ribs visible. The nurse documents this as which of the following?

A. "When did your pain symptoms begin?" When conducting a focused assessment on pain, the nurse should gather specific details about the onset, location, duration, characteristics, and aggravating/relieving factors. Asking when the pain symptoms began helps clarify the onset, which is critical in assessing the pain's cause and severity.

B. "Do you think you know what caused the swelling?": This is less focused on pain and more on swelling, which may not be the client's main concern.

C. "What brings you to the clinic today?": While this is a good general question, it is not focused on pain and would not gather specific pain-related information.

D. "Can you go over what you said about nothing relieving the pain?": This question is not as open-ended or specific to a focused pain assessment as asking about onset.

A. Cleanses the ear molds with isopropyl alcohol to remove cerumen: Alcohol is not recommended for cleaning hearing aids, as it can damage the device. A mild soap and water solution or a designated cleaning tool is preferable.

B. Turns off the hearing aids when not in use: Turning off hearing aids conserves battery life, which is a proper maintenance practice.

C. Inspects the ear molds to determine the ear canal portion: Properly positioning the hearing aids ensures correct use and comfort.

D. Turns the volume all the way down before inserting the hearing aids: This prevents a sudden loud noise that could startle the client and allows them to adjust to a comfortable volume after insertion.

E. Ensures that the ears are not blocked with cerumen: Blocked cerumen can interfere with hearing aid functionality, so this is an essential step.