A nurse is assisting in the care of a client on a postpartum unit. The client had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery 24 hours ago. Which of the following data collection findings should the nurse report to the primary RN immediately?

A. “I will decrease my fluid intake to reduce incontinence.”: Reducing fluid intake can lead to concentrated urine and bladder irritation, which may worsen urinary urgency and incontinence. Adequate hydration is encouraged rather than fluid restriction for managing cystocele symptoms.

B. “I will experience less urinary incontinence if I use artificial sweeteners.”: Artificial sweeteners can irritate the bladder and increase urinary frequency or urgency. Their use may exacerbate urinary incontinence rather than improve symptoms.

C. “I will practice perineal exercises to decrease urinary leakage.”: Perineal (Kegel) exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder and urethra. Regular practice can improve muscle tone and reduce urinary leakage associated with a cystocele.

D. “I should use a perineal spray to reduce odor from urinary leakage.”: Perineal sprays may mask odor but do not address the underlying pelvic floor weakness. Some products can also irritate the perineal area, potentially worsening discomfort or skin breakdown.

A. Measure the client's abdominal girth daily: Monitoring abdominal girth helps assess the progression or reduction of ascites and guides the effectiveness of interventions such as diuretic therapy or paracentesis. Daily measurements provide objective data for evaluating fluid accumulation.

B. Position the client supine with legs elevated: Elevating the legs while supine is more appropriate for peripheral edema, not ascites. For ascites, semi-Fowler’s or upright positioning is preferred to promote comfort and reduce pressure on the diaphragm.

C. Restrict the client's sodium intake to 3 g per day: Sodium restriction is typically recommended to manage fluid retention in ascites, but standard guidelines suggest limiting sodium to 2 g per day, not 3 g, to optimize effectiveness.

D. Keep the client's daily protein intake below 0.8 g/kg: Clients with cirrhosis and ascites often require adequate protein to prevent muscle wasting and malnutrition. Restricting protein excessively can worsen nutritional status and is generally not recommended unless the client has hepatic encephalopathy.