A nurse is caring for a client in hospice care who is dying. The client's partner expresses concern that the client is sleeping more than in the previous week. Which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?

The correct answer is Choice A, Choice D.

Choice A rationale: Tachycardia, or an increased heart rate, is a common symptom of dehydration in infants. The body attempts to maintain adequate blood circulation despite reduced fluid volume by increasing the heart rate, which is a compensatory mechanism.

Choice B rationale: Bloating is not typically associated with dehydration in infants. Dehydration usually results in symptoms like dry mucous membranes and decreased skin turgor, rather than gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating.

Choice C rationale: Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is uncommon in dehydrated infants. Dehydration generally leads to hypotension (low blood pressure) due to decreased fluid volume in the circulatory system, which can result in reduced blood pressure.

Choice D rationale: Irritability is a frequent symptom of dehydration in infants. Reduced fluid intake and electrolyte imbalances can cause discomfort and distress, leading to irritability and increased fussiness in dehydrated infants.

The client should wear a mask during transport to prevent the spread of infectious droplets. The nurse should wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) based on the precautions required for the specific client, which in this case would be a mask. The nurse does not need to wear a gown as droplet precautions do not require the use of a gown during transport.

The correct answer is choice C, the client should wear a mask during transport.

Choice A rationale:

The client wearing a gown during transport is not typically necessary for droplet precautions unless there is a risk of the gown becoming contaminated with infectious material. Gowns are primarily used to protect the healthcare worker or other patients if there is direct contact with the patient.

Choice B rationale:

While the nurse should wear a mask if they will be within close proximity to the client, the primary concern in droplet precautions is to prevent the spread of infection from the client, who is the source of the droplets.

Choice C rationale:

The client should wear a mask during transport to contain respiratory secretions and minimize the risk of droplet spread, as droplets can be disseminated by coughing, sneezing, or talking. This is a key component of source control in droplet precautions.

Choice D rationale:

Similar to choice A, the nurse wearing a gown during transport is not a standard requirement for droplet precautions unless there is anticipated contact with the patient or their environment that might result in contamination.

In summary, the primary goal of droplet precautions is to prevent the spread of infections through large respiratory droplets that are expelled by the client. Therefore, having the client wear a mask is the most effective measure among the options provided to reduce the risk of transmission during transport.