A client with a family history of cardiac disease is seeking information to control risk factors. Which lifestyle modification is most important for the nurse to encourage?

A. "This unit has a policy against staff harassment."

This response addresses the client's cursing behavior directly and attempts to establish boundaries by referring to the unit's policy. However, it may come across as confrontational and could potentially escalate the situation further. While it's important to address inappropriate behavior, in this case, responding with empathy and understanding might be more effective in de-escalating the situation and building rapport.

B. "It is important to dress the right arm first."

This response focuses on the physical aspect of dressing and does not acknowledge the client's frustration or emotional state. While it provides guidance on dressing technique, it does not address the underlying issue of the client's struggle or emotional distress. In this situation, addressing the client's emotional needs and frustrations may be more beneficial.

C. "Dressing must be a frustrating experience for you."

This response demonstrates empathy and understanding towards the client's frustration. It acknowledges the client's emotional state and validates their feelings, which can help build rapport and trust. By expressing empathy, the nurse can create a supportive environment and open the door for effective communication with the client.

D. "We will give you a class on dressing tomorrow."

This response offers a solution for the future but does not address the client's immediate frustration or emotional distress. While education on dressing techniques may be helpful in the long run, it does not address the client's current struggle or provide support in the moment. In this situation, addressing the client's emotional needs and frustrations should take priority.

A. A well approximated incision site:

A properly healing surgical incision typically appears well approximated, meaning the wound edges are closely aligned and held together with sutures or staples. This indicates that the wound is healing as expected and that the risk of infection and complications is minimized.

B. Erythema and serosanguineous exudate:

Erythema (redness) and serosanguineous exudate (pinkish fluid composed of serum and blood) can be normal findings in the early stages of wound healing, but they may also indicate inflammation or infection if they persist or worsen over time.

C. Eschar and slough in the wound:

Eschar (dead tissue) and slough (yellow or white necrotic tissue) are signs of tissue necrosis or delayed wound healing. They indicate that the wound is not healing properly and may require intervention such as debridement to remove dead tissue and promote healing.

D. Beefy red granulation tissue:

Beefy red granulation tissue is a sign of the proliferative phase of wound healing and indicates that the wound is healing from the bottom up. While granulation tissue is a positive sign of healing, it typically appears later in the healing process rather than one week post-surgery.