A nurse is caring for a client who has Clostridium difficile. When applying a cover gown, which of the following techniques should the nurse use?

A. Administer an anti-anxiety medication is not the first action. The nurse should first assess and manage the client's environment and emotional state before resorting to medication.

B. Minimize environmental stimuli in the client's surroundings is correct. The client is experiencing anxiety, and minimizing stimuli helps to reduce environmental triggers and can immediately alleviate distress.

C. Explore behaviors that have helped to reduce the client's anxiety in the past is a good intervention but should not be the first response. The immediate priority is to reduce the anxiety by controlling the environment.

D. Explain to the client that anxiety causes physical manifestations is helpful but should occur after the immediate anxiety-reduction measures are in place. Providing this information can be part of the therapeutic process but does not address the client’s immediate distress.

A. Stating that palliative care is only for clients with a terminal illness is incorrect. Palliative care is designed for clients with serious, chronic, or life-threatening illnesses and focuses on symptom management and quality of life, regardless of prognosis.

B. Limiting palliative care to those with 6 months or less to live is incorrect. This definition applies to hospice care, not palliative care. Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatments at any stage of illness.

C. Including restriction of nutritional support is incorrect. Palliative care emphasizes comfort and symptom relief, including providing adequate nutrition and hydration as appropriate for the client’s needs and wishes.

D. Enhancing quality of life by promoting comfort is correct. Palliative care aims to relieve symptoms such as pain, nausea, and fatigue while supporting the client’s emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being.