Which situations are early signs of an ethical dilemma? (Select all that apply)

Choice A reason: Coffee, caffeinated or decaf, relaxes the esophageal sphincter and irritates the mucosa, worsening GERD. This aligns with dietary restrictions, making it a correct substance the nurse would teach the client to avoid to prevent GERD symptom exacerbation.

Choice B reason: Chocolate contains methylxanthines and fat, relaxing the esophageal sphincter and triggering GERD symptoms. This aligns with GERD dietary guidelines, making it a correct item the nurse would include for the client to avoid to reduce reflux.

Choice C reason: Peppermint relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, increasing acid reflux in GERD. This aligns with dietary teaching, making it a correct substance the nurse would advise the client to avoid to minimize GERD symptom flare-ups effectively.

Choice D reason: Nonfat milk is less likely to trigger GERD, as high-fat dairy worsens reflux. Coffee is a stronger trigger, making this incorrect, as it’s not a primary substance the nurse would include on the GERD avoidance list.

Choice E reason: Fried chicken, high in fat, delays gastric emptying and exacerbates GERD symptoms. This aligns with dietary restrictions, making it a correct item the nurse would teach the client to avoid to prevent GERD symptom exacerbation.

Choice F reason: Scrambled eggs are low-fat and unlikely to trigger GERD compared to chocolate or coffee. This is incorrect, as it’s not a primary substance the nurse would include on the list of items to avoid for GERD management.

Choice A reason: Distended neck veins in the sitting position indicate worsening hypervolemia, reflecting increased venous pressure and heart strain. This aligns with cardiovascular assessment, making it the correct finding the nurse would identify as a sign of deteriorating fluid overload in the client.

Choice B reason: Breath sounds in the right lower lobe are normal unless crackles indicate fluid. Distended neck veins are more specific to worsening hypervolemia, making this incorrect, as it’s not a clear sign of deterioration in the nurse’s fluid status assessment.

Choice C reason: Unchanged weight doesn’t indicate worsening hypervolemia, which causes weight gain. Distended neck veins signal increased fluid, making this incorrect, as it’s not a dynamic finding compared to the nurse’s assessment of worsening fluid overload in the client.

Choice D reason: Yellow-tinged nose and ears suggest jaundice, not hypervolemia. Distended neck veins are a direct sign of worsening fluid status, making this incorrect, as it’s unrelated to the nurse’s evaluation of deteriorating hypervolemia in the client’s condition.