A nurse is caring for a 2-month-old infant who has heart failure. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

The correct answer is d. “Your desire to be an organ donor must be documented in writing.”

Rationale for Choice a:

• Statement:“Your name cannot be removed once you are listed on the organ donor list.”
• Rationale:This statement is incorrect.Individuals have the right to change their minds about organ donation at any time.They can have their names removed from the organ donor list by contacting the appropriate registry or organization.It's essential for nurses to provide accurate information to ensure informed consent and respect for patient autonomy.

Rationale for Choice b:

• Statement:“You must be at least 21 years of age to become an organ donor.”
• Rationale:This statement is also incorrect.The age requirement for organ donation varies by jurisdiction.In many places,individuals under 18 years of age can register as organ donors with parental consent.Nurses should be familiar with local regulations to provide accurate guidance.

Rationale for Choice c:

• Statement:“I cannot be a witness for your consent to donate.”
• Rationale:While it's true that nurses generally cannot act as witnesses for organ donation consent,the focus of the response should be on directing the client to the appropriate channels for documentation.Nurses can play a role in facilitating the process by providing information and resources to clients who express interest in organ donation.

Rationale for Choice d:

• Statement:“Your desire to be an organ donor must be documented in writing.”
• Rationale:This is the correct response.To ensure clarity and legal validity,organ donation preferences must be documented in writing.This documentation can be done through various means,such as registering with an organ donor registry,indicating preferences on a driver's license,or completing an advance directive.Nurses should emphasize the importance of written documentation to protect the client's wishes.

This is because humidification can help moisten the oral mucosa and reduce the discomfort of xerostomia. Xerostomia is a condition of dry mouth caused by reduced or absent saliva flow, which can occur after radiation therapy to the head and neck area.
Choice A is wrong because rinsing the mouth with an alcohol-based mouthwash can irritate the oral tissues and worsen xerostomia. Alcohol can also dehydrate the mouth and reduce saliva production.
Choice B is wrong because esophageal speech is a method of voice restoration after laryngectomy, not a treatment for xerostomia.
Esophageal speech involves swallowing air into the esophagus and releasing it to create sound.
It has nothing to do with saliva flow or dry mouth.
Choice C is wrong because saltine crackers are dry and hard to swallow without adequate saliva.
They can also scratch the oral mucosa and cause pain or bleeding. Offering the client saltine crackers between meals can aggravate xerostomia and increase the risk of choking.
Normal ranges for saliva flow vary depending on the method of measurement, but generally, a stimulated saliva flow rate of less than 0.7 mL/min or an unstimulated saliva flow rate of less than 0.1 mL/min is considered indicative of xerostomia.