A nurse is admitting a client who has a partial hearing loss. Which of the following is the priority action by the nurse?

Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because rotating nursing staff may not provide emotional support for the client who is rehabilitating from major burns. The client may benefit from having consistent and familiar staff who can establish rapport and trust with him. The nurse should assign staff who are experienced and comfortable with burn care and who can communicate effectively and empathetically with the client.

Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because keeping family members aware of his condition may not provide emotional support for the client who is rehabilitating from major burns. The client may have privacy or confidentiality concerns or may not want his family members to see him in his current state. The nurse should respect the client's wishes and preferences regarding family involvement and obtain his consent before sharing any information.

Choice C Reason: This is correct because talking with the client during wound care can provide emotional support for the client who is rehabilitating from major burns. Wound care can be painful and stressful for the client, so the nurse should use therapeutic communication skills to distract, reassure, and encourage him. The nurse should also explain the procedures and rationale for wound care and allow the client to express his feelings and concerns.

Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because assigning assistive personnel to keep his room neat and clean may not provide emotional support for the client who is rehabilitating from major burns. The client may appreciate a clean environment, but he may also need more direct and personal contact with the nurse. The nurse should spend time with the client and provide holistic care that addresses his physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs.

Choice A Reason: "I ate shellfish about 2 weeks ago at a local restaurant." supports the medical diagnosis of hepatitis A, which is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV is transmitted by fecal-oral route, meaning that it can be contracted by ingesting contaminated food or water, such as raw or undercooked shellfish from polluted waters. The incubation period for hepatitis A is about two to six weeks.

Choice B Reason: "I was an intravenous drug abuser in the past and shared needles." does not support the medical diagnosis of hepatitis A, but may indicate exposure to hepatitis B or C, which are infections of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV). HBV and HCV are transmitted by blood or body fluids, meaning that they can be contracted by sharing needles, syringes, or other injection equipment with infected people.

Choice C Reason: "I had a blood transfusion in 1980 after major abdominal surgery." does not support the medical diagnosis of hepatitis A, but may indicate exposure to hepatitis B or C, which are infections of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV). HBV and HCV are transmitted by blood or body fluids, meaning that they can be contracted by receiving blood transfusions or organ transplants from infected donors. However, since 1992, all donated blood in the United States has been screened for HBV and HCV.

Choice D Reason: "I have had unprotected sex with multiple partners." does not support the medical diagnosis of hepatitis A, but may indicate exposure to hepatitis B or C, which are infections of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV). HBV and HCV are transmitted by blood or body fluids, meaning that they can be contracted by having unprotected sex with infected people. However, sexual transmission of HAV is rare, unless there is contact with fecal matter.