A nurse is assisting in the care of a group of clients in the preoperative unit. Which of the following clients can give informed consent?

A. "I have nosebleeds once per week.": Occasional nosebleeds are relatively common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes causing increased vascularity and congestion of the nasal passages. While the frequency should be noted, it's generally not a priority to report unless they are severe, frequent, or difficult to control.

B. "My heart feels like it skips a beat.": Palpitations can occur during pregnancy because of increased blood volume and changes in cardiovascular function. Occasional palpitations are typically benign but should be further evaluated if they become persistent or are associated with other symptoms like chest pain.

C. "I am experiencing persistent headaches.": Persistent headaches during pregnancy, especially after 20 weeks gestation, can be a warning sign of preeclampsia, a serious hypertensive disorder. Reporting this symptom immediately is critical to assess for elevated blood pressure, proteinuria, and other complications.

D. "The palms of my hands are red and blotchy.": Red, blotchy palms, known as palmar erythema, are a common and harmless finding during pregnancy due to increased estrogen levels. It does not usually indicate any serious condition and does not require urgent reporting.

• Temperature: A temperature of 37.5° C (99.5° F) is within the normal to slightly elevated range and is not high enough to be classified as fever. Therefore, it does not require immediate reporting unless accompanied by other signs of infection or systemic illness.
• Sclera: Yellow-tinged sclera suggests jaundice, indicating possible liver dysfunction, which could be related to substance use or hepatitis. Jaundice is a significant clinical finding that requires immediate provider notification for further evaluation and management.
• Bowel sounds: Hyperactive bowel sounds are a non-specific finding and can result from gastrointestinal irritation, substance use, or stress. Alone, they do not warrant urgent reporting unless accompanied by more serious signs like severe pain or vomiting.
• Abdominal tenderness: Epigastric tenderness could suggest gastrointestinal complications such as hepatitis, pancreatitis, or gastritis, especially in the context of drug use. Abdominal pain on palpation is a concerning symptom that must be reported for further diagnostic workup.
• Anorexia: Significant anorexia along with nausea, vomiting, and substance use points to potential systemic illness or gastrointestinal involvement. In adolescents, persistent anorexia is a warning sign that needs prompt evaluation to prevent nutritional deficiencies and worsening health.
• Breath sounds: Clear breath sounds are a normal finding and do not require immediate provider notification. There are no respiratory concerns indicated by the lung assessment provided in the notes.
• Heart rate: A heart rate of 103/min indicates mild tachycardia, which could be due to dehydration, substance use, or an underlying systemic condition. Tachycardia should be reported to assess if immediate interventions like fluid replacement are necessary.
• Skin: Dry skin with poor turgor signals dehydration, a critical finding especially with the reported vomiting and drug use. Dehydration can rapidly worsen and must be addressed by the provider for fluid management and further care.