A nurse in an outpatient clinic is caring for a client

Vital Signs
BP 124/68 mm Hg
Heart rate 80/min

Temperature 37° C (98.6° F) Respiratory rate 16/min Weight 67.1 kg (148 lb)

The correct answer is Choice A.

Choice A rationale: “What are the voices telling you?” This is the priority response because it directly addresses the client’s immediate concern. The nurse is acknowledging the client’s experience and seeking to understand more about it. This can help the nurse assess the potential for harm to the client or others, as the voices may be instructing the client to engage in dangerous behaviors.

Choice B rationale: “Have you taken your medication today?” While medication adherence is important in managing schizophrenia, this response does not address the client’s immediate concern about hearing voices. It may also come across as dismissive of the client’s experience.

Choice C rationale: “I realize the voices are real to you, but I don’t hear anything.” This response validates the client’s experience, but it does not gather further information about what the voices are saying, which is crucial for assessing safety.

Choice D rationale: “How long have you been hearing the voices?” While this question is relevant for understanding the client’s history and the progression of their illness, it is not the priority response. The immediate concern should be what the voices are saying to assess for potential harm.

Based on the provided information, the nurse should include the following statements in the client's teaching:

C. "Wear loose-fitting clothing": This is because the specific gravity of the urine is slightly elevated (1.022), which may indicate mild dehydration. Loose-fitting clothing can help promote comfort and ventilation, especially in cases of dehydration.

D. "Wear flat or low-heeled shoes": There is no specific indication related to the urine dipstick results, but it is generally good advice for maintaining proper foot health and preventing strain on the feet and ankles.

G. "You should avoid fried foods": There are no specific indications related to the urine dipstick results, but a healthy diet is always beneficial for overall well-being. Avoiding fried foods can be a part of a balanced diet and promote better health.

The following statements should not be included in the client's teaching based on the provided urine dipstick results:

A. "Try using an abdominal support belt": There is no indication related to the urine dipstick results that suggests the need for an abdominal support belt.

B. "Take hot showers to help relieve itching": Itching is not mentioned in the urine dipstick results, so there is no specific indication to recommend hot showers for this purpose.

E. "You can douche twice weekly": Douche is not related to urine dipstick results, and douching is generally not recommended as it can disrupt the natural balance of vaginal flora and may cause more harm than good.

F. "Eat two large meals a day": There is no indication related to the urine dipstick results that suggests a specific meal plan, and eating two large meals a day may not be suitable for everyone's dietary needs.

It's important for the nurse to provide teaching based on the client's specific needs and health conditions. In this case, the nurse can focus on maintaining hydration (based on the specific gravity result) and promoting a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Always individualize teaching based on the client's health status and any specific concerns they may have.