A nurse in an assisted-living facility reinforcing teaching with staff members about preparing for an external chemical disaster. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

A) Weight loss: Weight loss is not a sign of fluid overload; rather, it is more indicative of dehydration or insufficient nutritional intake. Fluid overload typically leads to weight gain due to the accumulation of excess fluid in the body, so weight loss would not be a manifestation of this condition.

B) Decreased skin turgor: Decreased skin turgor is a common sign of dehydration, not fluid overload. When a person is dehydrated, the skin loses its elasticity, and it takes longer to return to its normal position after being pinched. This is the opposite of what is seen in fluid overload, where excess fluid causes the skin to appear more swollen or taut.

C) Decreased blood pressure: Decreased blood pressure is more commonly associated with hypovolemia (low fluid volume) or dehydration, rather than fluid overload. In fluid overload, blood pressure may actually rise due to the increased volume of circulating blood, not decrease.

D) Crackles heard in the lungs: Crackles, or rales, heard in the lungs are a classic sign of fluid overload, particularly when the excess fluid accumulates in the lungs (pulmonary edema). This can occur due to the heart's inability to pump effectively, leading to fluid retention in the lungs. Therefore, crackles in the lungs are a key manifestation of fluid overload.

A) The client’s vital signs are checked every 8 hr: While vital signs are an important aspect of the client's health, this information is routine and doesn't provide new insights that would impact the overall plan of care during an interprofessional team meeting. It’s important to focus on changes in the client’s condition or specific concerns that require collaboration.

B) The client has developed difficulty ambulating: This is critical information to share during the interprofessional team meeting because it may require input from physical therapists, occupational therapists, or other specialists. Difficulty ambulating can indicate a need for reassessment of the client's mobility plan, and other team members need to be informed to develop appropriate interventions.

C) The client has state-sponsored health insurance: While the client’s insurance status is relevant for financial and discharge planning, it is not directly related to the clinical management or care coordination that would be discussed in an interprofessional team meeting. The focus should be on the client’s clinical condition and needs.

D) The client's next dressing change is scheduled in 4 hr: Although the dressing change is important for continuity of care, this is more of a task-related detail rather than critical clinical information that requires interprofessional discussion. The focus in a team meeting should be on the client's progress, challenges, and needs, not just routine care tasks.