A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client.

Exhibits

The nurse is preparing to discharge the client. Which of the following statements by the client indicate an understanding of the discharge teaching?

Select all that apply.

Provide humidification of the room air. This is because humidification can help moisten the oral mucosa and reduce the discomfort of xerostomia. Xerostomia is a condition of dry mouth caused by reduced or absent saliva flow, which can occur after radiation therapy to the head and neck area.

Choice A is wrong because rinsing the mouth with an alcohol-based mouth wash can irritate the oral tissues and worsen xerostomia. Alcohol can also dehydrate the mouth and reduce saliva production.

Choice B is wrong because esophageal speech is a method of voice restoration after laryngectomy, not a treatment for xerostomia.

Esophageal speech involves swallowing air into the esophagus and releasing it to create sound.

It has nothing to do with saliva flow or dry mouth.

Choice C is wrong because saltine crackers are dry and hard to swallow without adequate saliva.

They can also scratch the oral mucosa and cause pain or bleeding. Offering the client saltine crackers between meals can aggravate xerostomia and increase the risk of choking.

Normal ranges for saliva flow vary depending on the method of measurement, but generally, a stimulated saliva flow rate of less than 0.7 mL/min or an unstimulated saliva flow rate of less than 0.1 mL/min is considered indicative of xerostomia.

Choice A reason

Act as a spokesperson to provide information to the media in inappropriate. During a disaster, the nurse manager or designated hospital spokesperson usually handles communication with the media. The unit nurse's primary focus is on patient care and ensuring the safety and well-being of the clients on their unit.

Choice B reason

Recommending to the provider a list of clients for early discharge is the action that should be taken by the nurse. During a disaster, the responsibility of the unit nurse includes recommending to the healthcare provider a list of clients who may be considered for early discharge. This decision is based on the nurse's assessment of the clients' conditions and the need to create additional capacity for incoming patients who require urgent medical attention.

Choice C reason:

Determining the need for additional providers is inappropriate. The determination of the need for additional providers during a disaster is usually made at a higher level, such as by the nursing supervisor, nurse manager, or hospital administration. The unit nurse may collaborate with the nursing leadership to assess staffing needs and provide input, but the final decision is typically made at a higher level.

Choice D reason

Deciding which clients should be transported for a higher level of care is not the responsibility of the nurse. Decisions about transferring clients for a higher level of care during a disaster are usually made collaboratively among the healthcare team, including the healthcare providers and nursing leadership. The unit nurse may provide valuable input about the clients' conditions, but the decision is not solely the responsibility of the unit nurse.