A nurse is caring for a client who has AIDS. The client states, "My mouth is sore when I eat." Which of the following instructions should the nurse provide?

Rationale for Correct Choices:

• Seizures: The client presents with severe preeclampsia, indicated by BP >160/110 mm Hg, 3+ proteinuria, hyperreflexia (patellar reflex 4+), and persistent headache. These are strong predictors of progression to eclampsia, which is marked by seizures.
• Placental Abruption: Severe hypertension increases the risk of placental abruption due to vascular compromise in the uteroplacental circulation. Decreased fetal movement may be an early warning sign of impaired placental perfusion or separation.

Rationale for Incorrect Choices:

• Cervical Insufficiency: This is a painless cervical dilation often leading to second-trimester loss, unrelated to hypertension or proteinuria. The client is in the third trimester with no signs of cervical changes.
• Hypoglycemia: The client has no history of diabetes, glucose intolerance, or related symptoms. Her urine glucose was only trace, and no medications suggest insulin use.
• Heart Failure: No signs of pulmonary congestion, dyspnea, or elevated heart rate are present. Oxygen saturation is normal, and breath sounds are not mentioned as abnormal, making CHF unlikely at this stage.

Rationale:

A. A client must create a do-not-resuscitate order when completing advance directives: A DNR is a separate medical order and is not required when completing advance directives. Clients may choose to include resuscitation preferences in their directive but are not obligated to.

B. Advance directives cannot be changed once implemented: Advance directives are flexible documents that can be revised or revoked by the client at any time, as long as the client is mentally competent. This allows clients to adjust their wishes as circumstances or preferences change.

C. Assigning a health care surrogate requires legal consultation: While laws vary by state, in most cases, a legal consultation is not required. Clients can designate a surrogate by completing a form that is often available at healthcare facilities or through state-provided templates.

D. A health care surrogate makes health care decisions when the client is no longer able: A surrogate, also known as a durable power of attorney for health care, steps in only when the client loses decision-making capacity. This ensures that the client’s preferences are respected when they cannot communicate them.