A nurse is caring for a client who has a newly created colostomy. The client’s partner tells the nurse that the client refuses to look at the stoma. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A reason: Measuring the apical pulse (at the heart) simultaneously with the radial pulse (at the wrist) by two nurses accurately detects a pulse deficit, which occurs when heartbeats do not translate to peripheral pulses, often in arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation. This method quantifies the difference, aiding diagnosis and treatment, making it the correct approach.
Choice B reason: Comparing carotid pulses at rest and after standing assesses orthostatic changes, not a pulse deficit. A pulse deficit reflects a discrepancy between central and peripheral pulses, not positional changes. This action is irrelevant to detecting pulse deficits, as it does not compare simultaneous heart and peripheral pulse rates.
Choice C reason: Deflating a blood pressure cuff while palpating the brachial pulse is used to measure blood pressure, not to assess a pulse deficit. This method does not compare central and peripheral pulses simultaneously, which is necessary to identify a deficit, making it an incorrect approach for this assessment.
Choice D reason: Assessing both radial pulses simultaneously evaluates symmetry but not a pulse deficit, which requires comparing the apical (heart) pulse with a peripheral pulse. This method misses the central-peripheral comparison critical for detecting discrepancies caused by arrhythmias, making it inadequate for assessing a pulse deficit.

Choice A reason: Bilirubin assesses liver function, not kidneys. Cyclosporine’s nephrotoxicity affects glomerular filtration, not heme metabolism. Monitoring bilirubin is irrelevant for renal function in transplant clients, as it reflects hepatic or hemolytic processes, not kidney health or drug toxicity.
Choice B reason: Alkaline phosphatase evaluates liver or bone health, not kidneys. Cyclosporine may cause hepatotoxicity, but renal monitoring is critical due to its nephrotoxic potential. Alkaline phosphatase does not reflect glomerular or tubular function, making it unsuitable for assessing renal impact.
Choice C reason: Amylase measures pancreatic function, not kidneys. Cyclosporine’s nephrotoxicity affects renal filtration, not pancreatic enzymes. Monitoring amylase is irrelevant for kidney transplant clients, as it does not indicate renal impairment or cyclosporine’s toxic effects on kidney function.
Choice D reason: Creatinine is a key renal function marker, reflecting glomerular filtration rate. Cyclosporine’s nephrotoxicity elevates creatinine, indicating kidney damage. Monitoring it with BUN ensures early detection of renal impairment, guiding dose adjustments to prevent further injury in transplant clients.