A nurse is caring for a client and is concerned that the client might have a fecal impaction. Which of the following is the most important question for the nurse to ask?

The correct answer is choice B. Remove the cover gown in the client’s room after providing care. This is because Clostridium difficile spores are not effectively killed by alcohol-based hand rubs and can survive on surfaces for a long time. Removing the gown in the client’s room helps to contain any spores that may have settled on the gown, preventing them from being spread to other areas.

Choice A rationale:

Cleaning hands with an alcohol-based hand rub immediately after removing gloves is wrong because C. difficile spores are resistant to alcohol-based hand rubs. The recommended practice is thorough handwashing with soap and water to physically remove the spores from the hands.

Choice C rationale:

Placing the client in a room with negative-pressure airflow is wrong because this measure is used for airborne infections, such as tuberculosis. C. difficile is spread via the fecal-oral route, primarily through contact with contaminated surfaces or hands, not through the air.

Choice D rationale:

Wearing a mask when administering oral medications to the client is wrong because C. difficile is not spread through respiratory droplets. Masks are not necessary unless there is a risk of splash or spray of contaminated material.

The correct answer is choice D: A client who has just experienced the death of their child.

Choice A rationale:

Offering silence to a client who plans to leave the facility against medical advice might not be the most appropriate therapeutic communication technique. Silence in this situation could be misconstrued as ignoring the client's concerns or not addressing their reasons for wanting to leave. Active listening and open-ended questioning would likely be more effective in understanding and addressing the client's concerns.

Choice B rationale:

A client who informs the nurse that they have made their funeral arrangements is expressing thoughts and emotions that might require sensitive communication. Silence in this context could be interpreted as neglecting the client's need for support and empathy. The nurse should engage in a compassionate conversation and encourage the client to share their feelings.

Choice C rationale:

For a client who tells the nurse that the night shift nurse did not bring their medication, silence would not be the most suitable response. This situation calls for clarification and action, as the nurse needs to address the medication discrepancy promptly. Engaging in open communication and resolving the issue is essential here.

Choice D rationale:

A client who has just experienced the death of their child is likely overwhelmed with grief and intense emotions. In this scenario, using the therapeutic communication technique of silence can provide the client with a supportive space to process their feelings. Offering a moment of silence acknowledges the depth of their emotions and gives them the opportunity to express themselves when they are ready.