A nurse in a long-term care facility is planning care for several clients. Which of the following activities should the nurse delegate to the licensed practical nurse (LPN)?

Choice A rationale:

Explaining to the client that he needs the protein in the milk and the beef is not an appropriate action. Understanding and respecting the client's religious and dietary preferences are essential. Orthodox Jewish dietary laws, known as kashrut, prohibit the consumption of certain foods, including the mixing of meat and dairy in the same meal. This response disregards the client's faith-based dietary restrictions.

Choice B rationale:

Allowing the AP to deliver the food tray to the client is not appropriate in this situation. The nurse is responsible for ensuring that the client's dietary needs and preferences are met, especially when there are religious considerations involved. Failing to accommodate the client's dietary requirements could lead to non-compliance and potential harm.

Choice C rationale:

Replacing the nonfat milk with apple juice does not address the client's religious dietary restrictions. While the change may avoid mixing meat and dairy, it still disregards the importance of providing a kosher meal. Kosher dietary laws encompass more than just avoiding meat and dairy combinations. It is important to provide a fully compliant kosher meal.

Choice D rationale:

Calling the dietary department and asking for a kosher tray is the appropriate action. A kosher diet adheres to specific rules and regulations, including the separation of meat and dairy products. To respect the client's faith and dietary needs, the nurse should ensure that the food provided aligns with kosher guidelines. This choice demonstrates cultural sensitivity and ensures the client's well-being.

Choice A rationale:

Asthma - Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by bronchoconstriction, inflammation, and increased mucus production. It does not typically present with absent breath sounds, deviation of the trachea, or hyperresonant percussion sounds. Wheezing is a common finding in asthma.

Choice B rationale:

Pneumothorax - This is the correct choice. The scenario describes classic signs of a tension pneumothorax, which is a medical emergency. The tracheal deviation, absence of breath sounds, and hyperresonant percussion note on the affected side are indicative of air accumulation in the pleural space, leading to lung collapse and displacement of mediastinal structures.

Choice C rationale:

Atelectasis - Atelectasis refers to the collapse or incomplete expansion of a lung or part of a lung. It can lead to decreased breath sounds on auscultation but does not usually cause tracheal deviation or hyperresonance on percussion. It is not the best fit for the described signs.

Choice D rationale:

Pneumonia - Pneumonia is an infection of the lung tissue that can cause symptoms like fever, cough, and productive sputum. Breath sounds may be diminished over the affected area due to consolidation, but the absence of breath sounds, tracheal deviation, and hyperresonance point more strongly toward a pneumothorax in this case.