A home health nurse is caring for a client who has a chronic illness and recently moved in with their adult child. Which of the following statements by the client should indicate to the nurse that the client has adapted to their new situational role?

A. "I will remove my antiembolic stockings while I am in bed": Antiembolic stockings, also known as compression stockings, are worn to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) by promoting venous return. Removing them while in bed would compromise their effectiveness in preventing blood clots.

B. "I will perform ankle and knee exercises every hour."

Performing ankle and knee exercises every hour helps prevent complications such as muscle atrophy, contractures, and thromboembolism associated with immobility. These exercises promote circulation, maintain joint mobility, and prevent stiffness.

C. "I will hold my breath when rising from a sitting position": Holding one's breath while rising from a sitting position can increase intra-abdominal pressure and potentially cause dizziness or fainting. It is not a recommended practice and may lead to orthostatic hypotension.

D. "I will have my partner help me change positions every 4 hours": Changing positions every 4 hours is important for preventing pressure ulcers and promoting comfort, but it may not be frequent enough to prevent other adverse effects of immobility, such as joint stiffness and muscle weakness. Frequent position changes, at least every 2 hours, are recommended to maintain circulation and prevent complications.

A. "Tell me more about your partner." - While exploring the client's feelings about their partner may be relevant to understanding their current emotional state, it does not directly address the statement indicating suicidal ideation. The priority in this situation is to assess the client's risk of self-harm or suicide.

B. "Have you thought about harming yourself?"

This response directly addresses the client's statement expressing thoughts of dying and allows the nurse to assess the client's risk of self-harm or suicide. It opens up a dialogue about the client's feelings and intentions, which is crucial for ensuring their safety and providing appropriate support and intervention.

C. "You should discuss these feelings with your provider." - While encouraging the client to communicate with their healthcare provider is important, it does not address the immediate concern of potential self-harm or suicide. The nurse should assess the client's safety and provide support before encouraging further discussion with the provider.

D. "Why did you stop taking your medication?" - While medication non-adherence may contribute to worsening symptoms of depression, it is not the immediate concern in this situation. The client's statement expressing thoughts of dying requires immediate assessment of suicidal ideation and intervention to ensure their safety.