A home health nurse is providing nutrition education for a client who has trigeminal neuralgia. Which of the following foods should the nurse recommend to decrease pain?

Apply dressing to foot wound: While wound care is important, managing hyperglycemia takes priority. High blood glucose impairs wound healing and increases infection risk, making insulin administration the more urgent intervention. Dressing application should follow glycemic control measures.

Consult outpatient wound care specialist: A wound care consultation is appropriate for managing a chronic ulcer, but immediate intervention is required to stabilize glucose levels. Optimizing wound care should come after initial glucose management.

Schedule appointment with ophthalmologist: Clients with diabetes require routine eye exams due to the risk of diabetic retinopathy. However, addressing hyperglycemia and preventing further infection are more urgent concerns at this time.

Administer regular insulin 4 units subcutaneously x 1 dose: The client's blood glucose is elevated (250 mg/dL), which can impair immune function and tissue healing. Lowering glucose with insulin is the priority to prevent complications such as worsening infection or ketoacidosis.

The first action the nurse should take is assess for dizziness when standing followed by increase dietary iron intake.

Rationale:

Assess for dizziness when standing: The client’s orthostatic hypotension (BP drops from 132/60 to 102/50 mmHg upon standing) and tachycardia (HR 108/min) suggest possible symptomatic anemia. Evaluating for dizziness ensures client safety and helps determine the severity of anemia-related hypoxia.

Increase dietary iron intake: The client has iron deficiency anemia (low hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBC count, and ferritin). Since they follow a vegan diet, increasing plant-based iron sources (e.g., leafy greens, legumes, fortified cereals) and vitamin C intake can improve iron absorption.

Incorrect:

Administer IV fluids: While anemia can cause orthostatic hypotension, fluid resuscitation is not the first-line intervention unless dehydration is present.

Check for signs of bleeding: The client reports no pain or discomfort, and there is no evidence of active bleeding. Anemia is more likely due to chronic dietary deficiency rather than acute blood loss.

Administer vitamin B12 supplements: The client’s vitamin B12 level is slightly low but not critically deficient. The primary issue is iron deficiency, not pernicious anemia.