A nurse in the Medical-Surgical unit is caring for a client who has had an allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplant. Which of the following infection-control precautions should the nurse use while caring for this client?

Choice A rationale:

Asking the client's closest kin to convince him to stop fasting due to his injuries is not an appropriate action. Respecting the client's religious beliefs and practices is crucial, and attempting to persuade the client to stop fasting would infringe upon their autonomy and cultural values.

Choice B rationale:

Encouraging the client to stop fasting goes against respecting the client's religious observance and autonomy. The nurse should prioritize culturally competent care and support the client in their religious practices, while also ensuring their nutritional needs are met.

Choice C rationale:

Calling dietary to reschedule the client's meals might seem like a reasonable action, but it does not address the client's religious needs or their wound healing process. Ramadan fasting is an important religious practice, and the nurse should find a way to accommodate the client's fasting while also ensuring appropriate nutritional support.

Choice D rationale:

Starting enteral tube feedings if the client refuses to take food orally is the correct action. Beneficence, a principle of ethical nursing care, emphasizes promoting the well-being of the patient. In this case, the nurse should prioritize the client's wound healing by ensuring they receive necessary nutrition through enteral feeding while still respecting their fasting during Ramadan.

Choice A rationale:

Applying the pulse oximeter probe to the toe is not the most appropriate location. While toe measurements can be used, the fingers are more commonly used due to their accessibility and accuracy. Edema in the hands could affect the accuracy of readings.

Choice B rationale:

The nurse should apply the pulse oximeter probe to the earlobe. This choice is correct because the earlobe is a well-vascularized and easily accessible area that provides accurate oxygen saturation measurements. Thickened toenails and edema of the hands might compromise readings in those locations.

Choice C rationale:

Applying the pulse oximeter probe to a skin fold is not a recommended site for oxygen saturation measurement. While there are various sites where pulse oximeters can be applied, the earlobe and finger are more suitable due to their consistent blood flow and accessibility.

Choice D rationale:

While applying the pulse oximeter probe to the finger is a common and acceptable practice, in this scenario, edema of the hands could affect the accuracy of the readings. The earlobe is a better choice as it is less likely to be affected by edema and can provide accurate readings.