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. Assess strength of deep tendon reflexes:

Hyperkalemia can affect neuromuscular function, leading to alterations in deep tendon reflexes. However, determining the apical pulse rate and rhythm is more crucial as hyperkalemia can cause cardiac dysrhythmias and cardiac arrest.

B. Determine apical pulse rate and rhythm:

This is the most important intervention because hyperkalemia can lead to life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. Monitoring the apical pulse rate and rhythm allows the nurse to detect any abnormalities promptly.

C. Compare muscle strength bilaterally:

Hyperkalemia can cause muscle weakness or paralysis due to its effects on neuromuscular function. While assessing muscle strength is important, monitoring cardiac function takes precedence because of the potential for life-threatening dysrhythmias.

D. Observe color and amount of urine:

Hyperkalemia can affect renal function, leading to changes in urine output and composition. While monitoring urine output and characteristics is important for assessing renal function, it is not the most critical intervention when managing acute hyperkalemia and its potential cardiac effects.

A. Initiate a fall risk protocol for the client:

Initiating a fall risk protocol may be premature based solely on observations of an upright posture and a smooth, steady gait. While falls are a significant concern in older adults, these observations suggest that the client currently exhibits good balance and mobility, which may not warrant immediate initiation of a fall risk protocol. Fall risk assessments typically involve a comprehensive evaluation of multiple factors beyond posture and gait, such as medical history, medications, cognitive status, and environmental factors.

B. Teach the client to shorten the stride to prevent falls:

Teaching the client to shorten their stride to prevent falls may not be necessary based on the observed smooth and steady gait. Shortening the stride is often recommended for individuals who exhibit signs of imbalance or instability during walking. However, in this scenario, the client demonstrates a smooth and steady gait, suggesting that their current gait pattern is effective and does not pose an immediate risk of falling.

C. Determine the client's activity tolerance:

Assessing the client's activity tolerance is an appropriate next step in the nursing process. While the observed upright posture and smooth, steady gait are positive indicators of mobility, understanding the client's overall activity tolerance provides valuable insight into their functional capacity and ability to perform activities of daily living safely. This assessment helps tailor care interventions to meet the client's individual needs and promotes optimal independence and quality of life.

D. Record the client's ability to perform ADLs safely:

Documenting the client's ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) safely is an essential component of nursing assessment and documentation. However, it may not be the most immediate action to take following the observation of an upright posture and smooth, steady gait. While documenting findings is important for maintaining accurate records and facilitating communication among healthcare team members, further assessment of the client's activity tolerance would provide additional context for documenting their functional status accurately.