A home health nurse is verifying a client's prescribed medications and notes that one medication dose was decreased by half. The client asks the nurse if they can cut the tablets in half. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Rationale:

A. Provide 60 mL (2 oz) of fluid intake every 5 min.: Following gastric bypass surgery, the stomach pouch is very small and cannot tolerate large or frequent volumes. Giving 60 mL every 5 minutes places the client at high risk for nausea, vomiting, dumping syndrome, and anastomotic complications. Fluid intake must be introduced slowly in small sips.

B. Ambulate the client 48 hr after the procedure.: Early ambulation is essential to prevent postoperative complications such as atelectasis, venous thromboembolism, and delayed return of bowel function. Waiting 48 hours is too long; clients should begin ambulating on the day of surgery or within the first 24 hours to promote circulation.

C. Provide a soft diet on the first postoperative day.: After gastric bypass surgery, the digestive system needs time to heal and cannot tolerate solid or semi-solid foods. Clients begin with clear liquids and progress gradually to pureed, soft, and then solid diets over several weeks.

D. Measure and compare abdominal girth daily.: Monitoring abdominal girth helps detect postoperative complications such as internal bleeding, leaks, or ileus, which may present with distention or increased abdominal size. Regular measurement provides early recognition of changes that require prompt intervention.

Rationale:

A. History of severe menorrhagia: A copper IUD can increase menstrual bleeding and cramping. Clients with a history of severe menorrhagia are at higher risk for exacerbated bleeding and anemia, making this a contraindication to IUD insertion. Alternative contraceptive methods should be considered for these clients.

B. Desire to become pregnant in 1 to 2 years: While the client’s future fertility plans may influence contraceptive choice, it is not a medical contraindication. The IUD can be removed at any time, allowing fertility to return quickly, so this does not preclude insertion.

C. Takes antiretroviral therapy for HIV: HIV infection or antiretroviral therapy is not a contraindication to IUD use. Clients with HIV can safely use intrauterine contraception, provided there are no active pelvic infections.

D. Report of unprotected sex in the past 24 hr: Recent unprotected intercourse is not a contraindication, but the nurse should assess the risk of pregnancy and consider emergency contraception if appropriate. It does not medically prevent IUD insertion.