A nurse is assisting with developing the plan of care for a client who requires airborne precautions. Which of the following actions should the nurse suggest?

A. Skin tenting occurs when the skin loses its elasticity due to dehydration. When gently pinched, the skin may remain elevated and return to its normal position slowly. This finding is a classic sign of dehydration and indicates that the client has lost significant fluid volume.
B. Elevated blood pressure (BP) can sometimes be associated with dehydration, especially in acute cases or when there are underlying conditions like hypovolemia. However, it is not typically a primary indicator of dehydration. Hypotension (low blood pressure) is more commonly associated with severe dehydration.
C. Red mucous membranes may indicate various conditions, including dehydration. Dehydration can lead to dryness and mucosal irritation, resulting in redness. However, red mucous membranes alone are not specific enough to reliably indicate dehydration without considering other signs and symptoms.

D. Jugular vein distention (JVD) is associated with fluid overload rather than dehydration. It occurs when there is increased pressure in the venous system, often due to heart failure or fluid retention. JVD is not typically seen in dehydrated individuals.

A. This instruction is more appropriate for female clients performing perineal hygiene before providing a clean-catch urine specimen. For straight catheterization, the nurse typically performs sterile technique, including cleansing the urethral meatus with an antiseptic solution as part of the procedure. The client's perineal area may be cleansed if necessary, but the primary focus is on maintaining sterile technique during catheter insertion.
B. When performing straight catheterization, the nurse inserts a sterile catheter into the client's bladder via the urethra to obtain urine directly. The urine is collected from the catheter itself as it drains into a sterile specimen container. It's essential to avoid touching the catheter's port or allowing it to come into contact with non-sterile surfaces to prevent contamination.
C. When inserting a Foley catheter (indwelling catheter), sterile water is used to inflate the balloon at the tip of the catheter after insertion into the bladder. For straight catheterization, a balloon is not typically inflated because the catheter is removed immediately after urine is obtained. Therefore, this step is not applicable in this context.
D. It is crucial to use a sterile specimen container to collect urine obtained via straight catheterization. This ensures that the specimen remains uncontaminated and suitable for culture and sensitivity testing, which requires accurate identification of any bacteria present in the urine.