A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for oxygen at 7 L/min via a simple face mask. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to ensure client safety?

The correct answer is Choice C: Take vitamin D supplements.

Choice A rationale:

Reducing intake of calcium-rich foods would not be a suitable recommendation. Calcium is essential for bone health, and a client with minimal sunlight exposure is at risk of vitamin D deficiency, which affects calcium absorption. Therefore, this choice would worsen the client's situation.

Choice B rationale:

Using sunscreen with an SPF of 8 is unlikely to provide adequate protection against the harmful effects of sunlight. Moreover, the client's issue is vitamin D deficiency due to minimal sunlight exposure, and using sunscreen would further hinder vitamin D synthesis.

Choice C rationale:

Taking vitamin D supplements is the most appropriate intervention. Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin upon exposure to sunlight, and since the client has minimal sunlight exposure, supplements are necessary to prevent vitamin D deficiency. This choice addresses the root cause of the issue.

Choice D rationale:

Using a tanning bed is not recommended for increasing vitamin D levels. Tanning beds emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can increase the risk of skin cancer. Moreover, excessive UV exposure is not a safe or controlled method for addressing vitamin D deficiency.

The correct answer is choice D. The client has tenderness and warmth in their calf.

Choice A rationale:

The client's self-reported incisional pain level of 7 on a scale of 0 to 10 is important information to assess postoperative recovery, but it is not the priority finding to report among the choices. Pain management is crucial, but potential complications that could be more urgent should be addressed first.

Choice B rationale:

Increased nausea and chills are concerning postoperative findings, but they could be related to the body's response to surgery, anesthesia, or pain medications. While these symptoms should be monitored and managed, they are not as high-priority as potential complications involving the calf.

Choice C rationale:

An oral temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F) indicates a fever and is also a concerning finding in the postoperative period. Infection could be a possible cause, and the provider should be informed. However, compared to tenderness and warmth in the calf, which could suggest deep vein thrombosis (DVT), the fever is of slightly lower priority.

Choice D rationale:

Tenderness and warmth in the calf are the priority findings to report. These symptoms raise concern about the possibility of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a serious complication after surgery. DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, commonly in the legs. If left untreated, it can lead to a pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening condition where the clot travels to the lungs. Immediate assessment and intervention are necessary to rule out or address this potentially critical complication.