A nurse caring for a client with acute peritonitis reviews the physician's orders. The orders include an NPO diet, insertion of a nasogastric tube set to low intermittent suction, and IV fluids at 50 mL per hour. When asked why he will need the NG tube, what is the nurse's best reply?

Choice A Reason: This is correct because the patient's Glasgow Coma Scale score is 9. The Glasgow Coma Scale is a tool that assesses the level of consciousness of a patient with a head injury by measuring three parameters: eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. The patient's eye opening score is 3 (opens eyes to verbal command), verbal response score is 4 (confused speech), and motor response score is 2 (withdraws from pain). The total score is the sum of these three scores, which is 9.

Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because the patient's Glasgow Coma Scale score is not 11. To get a score of 11, the patient would need to have a higher motor response score, such as 4 (withdraws to touch) or 5 (localizes to pain).

Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because the patient's Glasgow Coma Scale score is not 15. To get a score of 15, the patient would need to have the highest scores for all three parameters, such as 4 (opens eyes spontaneously), 5 (oriented speech), and 6 (obeys commands).

Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because the patient's Glasgow Coma Scale score is not 13. To get a score of 13, the patient would need to have a higher verbal response score, such as 5 (oriented speech).

Choice A Reason: This is correct because incorporating foods rich in vitamin C in the diet can help prevent or delay macular degeneration. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can protect the cells of the macula, which is the central part of the retina that is responsible for sharp and detailed vision, from oxidative stress and damage. The nurse should also advise the client to consume foods rich in other antioxidants, such as vitamin E, zinc, lutein, and zeaxanthin.

Choice B Reason: This is correct because receiving injections into the eye can help treat macular degeneration. Injections are a form of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy, which can block abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage in the macula that can cause vision loss. The nurse should explain to the client how often and how long they need to receive injections and what side effects or complications they may experience.

Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because vision will not be restored after using eye drops for macular degeneration. Eye drops are not a proven or effective treatment for macular degeneration, which is a chronic and progressive condition that causes irreversible vision loss. The nurse should reinforce education by informing the client that eye drops may only provide temporary relief of dryness or irritation, but they will not improve or restore vision.

Choice D Reason: This is correct because vision will become progressively more blurry with macular degeneration. Macular degeneration can cause blurred or distorted central vision, difficulty reading or recognizing faces, or dark spots in the visual field. The nurse should educate the client on how to cope with vision loss and use adaptive devices, such as magnifiers, large-print books, or voice-activated technology.