A nurse is assessing a client two weeks postpartum. Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for further evaluation?

A. Active movement is present: The presence of active movement in the fingers and toes of the affected arm indicates that nerve and muscle function are intact, which is a positive finding. It indicates there is no impairment in function of the affected arm.

B. Pain is 4 on scale of 0 to 10: A pain level of 4 is moderate pain and might be expected after a fracture. As long as pain is being managed appropriately with prescribed medications and no other concerning symptoms are present, it does not necessarily require immediate reporting.

C. Capillary refill is less than 2 seconds: A capillary refill time of less than 2 seconds is normal. This suggests good blood flow to the affected arm and is not an issue that needs reporting.

D. Skin is cool to the touch: A cool skin temperature on the affected arm could indicate impaired circulation, possibly due to swelling or tightness of the cast, which could lead to compartment syndrome—a serious condition that requires immediate intervention. Therefore, this finding should be reported to the provider immediately.

A. Review the need for the indwelling urinary catheter daily: Daily review of catheter necessity reduces the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Prompt removal when no longer needed limits bacterial entry and colonization, which significantly lowers infection rates in hospitalized clients.

B. Empty the drainage bag when it is half full: The drainage bag should be emptied when it is about two-thirds full, not half full, to prevent backflow and reduce strain on the system. Emptying too early or too often increases the risk of introducing pathogens into the closed system.

C. Use soap and water to provide perineal care: Using soap and water for perineal hygiene maintains cleanliness and reduces bacterial colonization near the catheter site. Routine perineal care is a critical intervention to minimize the risk of ascending infections into the urinary tract.

D. Place the drainage bag on the bed when transporting the client: The drainage bag must remain below bladder level during transport to prevent backflow of urine into the bladder. Placing the bag on the bed risks contamination and promotes reflux of potentially infected urine.

E. Encourage the client to drink 1000 mL of fluid daily: Although hydration generally helps prevent UTIs, this client is on a strict 1000 mL fluid restriction due to heart failure. Encouraging more fluid intake could worsen fluid overload and does not align with current prescribed therapy.

F. Change the indwelling urinary catheter tubing every 3 days: Routine changing of catheter tubing is not recommended unless clinically indicated (e.g., contamination, obstruction, infection). Unnecessary manipulation increases the risk of introducing pathogens into the urinary system.