A client who is scheduled to undergo surgery tells the nurse that they do not understand the procedure and are reconsidering their decision to have it. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

The correct answer is choice D: "Provide mouth care to them at least every 2 hours."

Choice A rationale:

Encouraging meals at least three times daily is not appropriate for a client who is near death. As clients approach the end of life, their appetite often decreases, and they may be unable to tolerate regular meals. It's more important to focus on providing comfort and relief.

Choice B rationale:

Keeping the room warm to help them breathe easier is not necessarily true. While a comfortable room temperature can be important for the client's overall comfort, warmth alone does not significantly impact breathing in the context of impending death. Breathing difficulties at this stage are usually related to physiological changes rather than room temperature.

Choice C rationale:

Helping the client onto their left side if they are experiencing nausea is not a universally applicable instruction. While left-side positioning can help alleviate nausea for some clients, it might not be suitable for everyone. Nausea can be caused by various factors, and the caregiver should assess the client's comfort and preferences before changing their position.

Choice D rationale:

Providing mouth care to the client at least every 2 hours is the most appropriate instruction among the choices. Near the end of life, many clients become less able to maintain their oral hygiene due to various factors, including weakness and reduced consciousness. This can lead to discomfort and potential complications. Regular mouth care helps keep the client's mouth moist and clean, enhancing their overall comfort.

The correct answer is choice B: Ask the client what they already know about meal planning.

Choice A rationale:

Using pictures of different food groups can be helpful in teaching about carbohydrate counting, but it's important to assess the client's current knowledge and understanding before introducing new information. Starting with this approach might overwhelm the client or duplicate information they already possess.

Choice B rationale:

This is the correct choice. Before providing education, it's crucial to assess the client's baseline knowledge. By asking the client what they already know about meal planning, the nurse can tailor the teaching plan to fill in any gaps and avoid presenting redundant information. This approach respects the client's current understanding and focuses on addressing their specific needs.

Choice C rationale:

Giving the client a brochure with sample menus can be helpful once the nurse has assessed the client's knowledge and educational needs. However, providing the brochure as the first action might not be effective if the client already has some understanding of meal planning or if the brochure does not address the client's specific questions.

Choice D rationale:

Involving the family in the discussion of the client's meal plan is important for long-term support, but it shouldn't be the first action. First, the nurse should ensure that the client's own understanding and preferences are addressed before considering input from family members.