A client with intestinal obstruction has a nasogastric tube to low intermittent suction and is receiving an intravenous (IV) infusion of lactated Ringer's at 100 mL/hour.
Which finding is most important for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider? Reference Range: Potassium (3.5 to 5 mEq/L (3.5 to 5 mmol/L).

- A terminally ill client is a client who has a progressive and incurable disease or condition that is expected to result in death within a short period of time, such as months or weeks. A terminally ill client may require palliative care, which is the care that focuses on relieving pain and suffering and improving the quality of life for the client and their family.

- An admission assessment is the process of collecting information about a client's health status, needs, preferences, and goals when they are admited to a health care facility, such as a hospital, nursing home, or hospice. An admission assessment helps to establish a baseline for the client's condition, plan and implement appropriate interventions, and evaluate the outcomes of care.

- A health care proxy is a legal document that allows a client to appoint another person, such as a family member or a friend, to make health care decisions for them if they become unable to do so themselves. A health care proxy may also include specific instructions or preferences about the type and extent of care that the client wishes to receive or refuse, such as life-sustaining treatments, resuscitation, or organ donation.

- Health care proxy documentation is an important information that the practical nurse (PN) should collect during the admission assessment of a terminally ill client to an acute care facility, as it reflects the client's autonomy, dignity, and wishes regarding their end-of-life care. It also helps to ensure that the client's healthcare decisions are respected and followed by the healthcare team and the facility.

- Therefore, option A is the correct answer, while options B, C, and D are incorrect.

Option B is incorrect because the name of the funeral home to contact is not relevant or necessary for the admission assessment of a terminally ill client, as it does not affect their health status or care plan.

Option C is incorrect because the client's wishes regarding organ donation may be included in their health care proxy documentation, but they are not required or essential for the admission assessment of a terminally ill client.

Option D is incorrect because the contact information for the client's next of kin may be useful for communication and support purposes, but it is not as important as the health care proxy documentation for the admission assessment of a terminally ill client.

Choice A rationale:

The client being the oldest of their siblings is not a contributing factor related to the development of conduct disorder. Family dynamics such as birth order may have some influence on personality traits, but they are not a primary factor in the development of conduct disorder.

Choice B rationale:

The fact that the client's father lives in the client's home is a family dynamic, but it does not necessarily contribute to the development of conduct disorder. Other factors related to parenting style, communication, and family interactions play a more significant role in the development of conduct disorder.

Choice C rationale:

The client's mother having asthma is a medical condition and not a family dynamic that directly contributes to the development of conduct disorder. Conduct disorder is more closely associated with social, environmental, and psychological factors.

Choice D rationale:

The presence of several siblings in the family dynamic can contribute to the development of conduct disorder. Increased family size can lead to competition for attention and resources, which may affect the child's behavior and interactions. Sibling relationships and family dynamics are crucial in shaping a child's behavior and psychological well-being.