A client is receiving IV fluids at 150 mL/hr. Which of the following findings indicates that the client is experiencing fluid overload?

Choice A rationale:

Massaging the legs before applying the stockings is not advisable. Vigorous massage can dislodge clots in patients with DVT, leading to serious complications like pulmonary embolism. It is essential to handle the legs gently and follow the proper procedure for applying antiembolitic stockings.

Choice B rationale:

Folding the stockings at the top if they are too long is not recommended. Altering the stockings in this way can create uneven pressure, reducing their effectiveness in preventing DVT. It is crucial to choose the correct size of stockings to ensure proper compression and prevention of complications.

Choice C rationale:

Measuring the legs with a tape measure to determine the stocking size is the correct action. Proper sizing is essential to ensure the stockings fit the patient correctly and provide the appropriate level of compression. Ill-fitting stockings can be ineffective and may even cause harm, such as skin abrasions or impeded circulation.

Choice D rationale:

Removing the stockings every 24 hours is unnecessary unless there is a specific medical indication to do so. Continuous wear of antiembolitic stockings is generally recommended to provide consistent compression and prevent deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)

Choice A rationale:

Documenting the client's vital signs obtained by an assistive personnel is correct. Documenting vital signs is fundamental and immediate requirement when admitting a client to ensure their current health status is accurately captured and can be monitored effectively.

Choice B rationale:

Charting a summary of the data at the change of the shift is incorrect. While it's essential to provide an update at shift change, this option suggests summarizing the data, which might not include all necessary details. Comprehensive documentation is crucial for continuity of care and accurate communication among healthcare providers. Documenting specific vital signs, assessments, interventions, and the client's response to those interventions is necessary for effective patient care.

Choice C rationale:

Noting whether the client has a living will is incorrect. While it's essential to be aware of a client's advanced directives, this information is typically gathered during the admission process or during routine assessments. It is not the immediate action to be taken upon admission. Vital signs and other immediate clinical data take precedence during the initial documentation process.

Choice D rationale:

Beginning charting with an evaluation of the data is incorrect. It is important to document objective data, such as vital signs, observations, and assessments, before making any evaluations or interpretations. Objective data provide the basis for clinical decisions and interventions. Starting with evaluations might lead to biased documentation, potentially overlooking important clinical findings.