A nurse is assessing a client who has the communicable disease mumps. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as indicating the client is in the illness stage?

A) "Limit fluids that contain electrolytes":
For a client with gastroenteritis, it is crucial to maintain hydration due to the risk of dehydration from diarrhea and vomiting. However, fluids containing electrolytes can help replenish lost electrolytes and are beneficial. The instruction to "limit" these fluids might be misunderstood as a need to avoid them, which is not appropriate. The aim should be to encourage adequate hydration with fluids that contain electrolytes.

B) "Eliminate sources of probiotics from the diet":
Probiotics can help restore the balance of gut bacteria and may be beneficial in managing gastroenteritis. Eliminating probiotics from the diet is not typically recommended and may not support the recovery process.

C) "Take docusate sodium twice daily":
Docusate sodium is a stool softener, generally used to relieve constipation. In the context of gastroenteritis, which typically involves diarrhea, this medication is not appropriate and could worsen the condition.

D) "Avoid foods high in simple sugars":
Foods high in simple sugars can exacerbate diarrhea by increasing osmotic load in the intestines, leading to more water being drawn into the gut. Avoiding these foods can help manage and reduce symptoms of gastroenteritis.

A) Decrease folic acid intake: Decreasing folic acid intake is not advisable for clients with malabsorption syndrome. In fact, clients with malabsorption often require increased folic acid due to poor absorption of nutrients, especially in conditions like celiac disease or other causes of malabsorption.

B) Increase lactose intake: Increasing lactose intake is not appropriate for clients with malabsorption syndrome, particularly if they have lactose intolerance. Lactose can exacerbate symptoms such as diarrhea and steatorrhea in these clients.

C) Provide a gluten-free diet: A gluten-free diet is crucial for clients with celiac disease, which is a type of malabsorption syndrome. However, if the malabsorption syndrome is due to another cause, a gluten-free diet might not address the issue. The focus should be on managing fat intake to reduce steatorrhea.

D) Provide a low-fat diet: A low-fat diet is the most appropriate intervention for managing severe steatorrhea, which is the presence of excess fat in the stool. Reducing fat intake helps to minimize fat malabsorption and the associated symptoms, providing relief from steatorrhea.