A client is diagnosed with Clostridium difficile. Which action should the practical nurse (PN) implement to prevent the spread of the organism?

This is the best intervention for the PN to implement because it relieves the muscle spasm and reduces the pain of a leg cramp. Leg cramps are common during pregnancy and labor due to changes in calcium levels, fluid balance, or pressure on nerves and blood vessels.

A. Massaging the calf and foot is not recommended because it may increase pain or cause injury to the muscle or nerve.

C. Checking the pedal pulse in the affected leg is not necessary unless there is a suspicion of vascular compromise or thrombosis, which are unlikely causes of a leg cramp.

D. Elevating the leg above the heart is not helpful because it may impair blood flow or increase pressure on the nerve or muscle.

The correct answers are:

A. Oatmeal is a good choice for breakfast.

C. Add lentils and black beans to soups.

D. Increase green leafy vegetables in the diet. Choice A rationale:

Oatmeal is a good choice for breakfast because it is a vegetarian option that is rich in iron. It contains non-heme iron, which is the type of iron found in plant-based foods. Non-heme iron may not be as easily absorbed as heme iron (found in animal products), but it can still contribute to increasing iron levels in the body, especially when combined with other sources of iron.

Choice B rationale:

Eat red meat just until the anemia is resolved is not a suitable instruction for a vegetarian client. Red meat is a source of heme iron, which is not part of a vegetarian diet. While heme iron is more easily absorbed by the body, there are other plant-based sources of iron that can be recommended to the client without compromising their dietary preferences.

Choice C rationale:

Lentils and black beans are excellent choices for a vegetarian client to increase iron intake. Both foods are rich in iron, and they also contain other nutrients that aid in iron absorption, such as vitamin C. Including lentils and black beans in soups can be a tasty and nutritious way to enhance iron intake.

Choice D rationale:

Increasing green leafy vegetables in the diet is another appropriate recommendation for a vegetarian client. Green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and kale, contain non-heme iron, as well as other essential vitamins and minerals that contribute to overall health. Combining them with vitamin C-rich foods can enhance iron absorption.

Choice E rationale:

Take two prenatal vitamins with iron daily is not necessary since the healthcare provider already prescribed one prenatal vitamin with iron daily. Taking additional supplements without medical advice can lead to an excessive intake of certain nutrients, which may have adverse effects on health.