A client's wife has just learned that her husband is terminally ill. She is sitting in the corner of the client's room crying, and says to the nurse, "I feel as if I'm already so alone." Which action should the nurse take first?

Choice A reason: Providing oral sponge toothettes is the best action to take. It helps the client to maintain oral hygiene and comfort, and prevents dryness and cracking of the oral mucosa.

Choice B reason: Teaching the client that the oral mucosa must remain dry to prevent aspiration is not a correct action. The oral mucosa needs to be moist to protect it from infection and irritation. Aspiration is prevented by checking the placement of the nasogastric tube and keeping the head of the bed elevated.

Choice C reason: Turning the suction off while allowing the client to rinse his mouth with cool water is not a safe action. It may increase the risk of aspiration and interfere with the function of the nasogastric tube. The suction should only be turned off when necessary, such as during medication administration or tube feeding.

Choice D reason: Instilling 50 ml of normal saline solution into the tube and clamping the tube for one hour is not an appropriate action. It may cause fluid overload, electrolyte imbalance, and abdominal distension. The nasogastric tube should be flushed with 30 ml of water every 4 to 6 hours to maintain patency and prevent clogging.

Choice A reason: To avoid pain-causing activity is not the best outcome statement for the nurse to include in this client's plan of care. It does not address the problem of activity intolerance, but rather reinforces the client's refusal to ambulate. It may also delay the client's recovery and increase the risk of complications.

Choice B reason: To take analgesics as prescribed is a relevant outcome statement for the nurse to include in this client's plan of care, but not the best one. It may help to reduce the client's pain and improve his comfort, but it does not directly measure the client's activity tolerance or mobility.

Choice C reason: To show evidence of incision healing is an important outcome statement for the nurse to include in this client's plan of care, but not the best one. It indicates the client's progress and recovery from surgery, but it does not reflect the client's activity intolerance or pain level.

Choice D reason: To ambulate without discomfort is the best outcome statement for the nurse to include in this client's plan of care. It addresses the problem of activity intolerance related to pain, and the goal of increasing the client's mobility and function. It also implies that the client's pain is well-managed and his incision is healing.