A nurse is caring for a client following application of a cast. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A. Wear clothing with zippers instead of buttons. This may be helpful for caregivers or for promoting independence in dressing, but it does not directly enhance safety in the home for a client with Alzheimer’s disease.
B. Place locks at the tops of exterior doors. Clients with Alzheimer’s are at risk for wandering, especially in later stages. Placing locks at the tops of doors helps prevent elopement while still allowing caregivers to control access, thus enhancing home safety.
C. Replace the carpet with hardwood floors. Carpets can actually provide more traction and cushioning than hardwood, which may be slippery and increase the risk of falls. Removing carpet is not necessary and could reduce safety.
D. Encourage physical activity prior to bedtime. Physical activity is beneficial but should be scheduled earlier in the day, as exercise close to bedtime may increase stimulation and interfere with sleep, which is already often disrupted in Alzheimer’s clients.

• Postoperative ileus: Ileus is a common complication after abdominal surgery due to anesthesia, opioid use, and limited mobility. It presents as delayed return of bowel function, marked by absent bowel sounds and abdominal discomfort. In this case, the child has absent bowel sounds and increasing tenderness, supporting this risk.
• Atelectasis: Atelectasis generally presents with diminished breath sounds and hypoxia, not clear breath sounds. Although the child has shallow respirations and is refusing the incentive spirometer, there are no respiratory findings such as decreased oxygen saturation or adventitious breath sounds that support this condition currently.
• Peritonitis: Peritonitis would present with systemic symptoms like fever, severe abdominal pain, rebound tenderness, or signs of sepsis. The child has mild abdominal tenderness and stable vital signs, which do not indicate peritoneal inflammation at this time.
• Urinary retention: This would be characterized by lack of urination, bladder distension, or discomfort—none of which are noted in the scenario. The child’s urinary output and bladder status are not identified as concerns, making this diagnosis unlikely.
• Absent bowel sounds: This is a key clinical sign of ileus. After surgery, bowel activity should return gradually. Continued absence of sounds, especially along with abdominal tenderness, strongly indicates impaired gastrointestinal motility.
• Shallow respirations: While shallow breathing is often a contributing factor to respiratory complications, in the context of abdominal surgery, it also limits diaphragmatic movement, which can further suppress bowel activity and contribute to postoperative ileus.
• Clear breath sounds: This is a normal respiratory finding and does not support the presence of atelectasis or other pulmonary complications. It suggests that lung fields are adequately ventilated despite shallow breathing.
• Intact abdominal dressing: This is an expected postoperative finding and does not support a diagnosis of infection, wound complication, or ileus. It indicates proper surgical wound healing.