A nurse is assisting with the development of an education program for a group of older adults.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Choice A rationale:

Decreased skin turgor. Decreased skin turgor is a sign of dehydration rather than fluid overload. In fluid overload, the body retains excess fluid, leading to symptoms like crackles in the lungs, edema, and increased blood pressure. Decreased skin turgor is more characteristic of dehydration, where the body loses fluid.

Choice B rationale:

Decreased blood pressure. Decreased blood pressure is not typically a manifestation of fluid overload. Fluid overload often leads to increased blood pressure as the heart has to work harder to pump excess fluid throughout the body.

Choice C rationale:

Weight loss. Weight loss is not a manifestation of fluid overload. In fact, fluid overload may lead to weight gain due to the retention of excess fluid in the body.

Choice D rationale:

Crackles heard in the lungs. Crackles heard in the lungs are a common manifestation of fluid overload. When there is an excessive accumulation of fluid in the lungs, it can interfere with the exchange of gases and cause crackling sounds during breathing. This is a significant clinical finding that indicates the need for intervention and assessment of fluid balance.

Choice A rationale:

Delaying the discussion about managing hair loss when the client has expressed concern is not the best approach. The nurse should provide information and support when the client seeks it.

Choice B rationale:

Discouraging the client from worrying about hair loss at this moment is not empathetic. The client's concerns should be acknowledged and addressed.

Choice C rationale:

Expressing empathy and relating to the client's emotional experience is a good practice, but it does not directly answer the client's question about managing hair loss.

Choice D rationale:

Offering to get information about head-covering options indicates an understanding of the client's concerns and provides a proactive solution. It shows empathy and willingness to support the client during chemotherapy, where hair loss can be a significant emotional issue.