A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and a prescription for digoxin 125 mcg PO daily. Available is digoxin PO 0.25 mg/tablet. How many tablets should the nurse administer per dose? (Round the answer to the nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

Inspection:This is the first step because it allows the nurse to gather information through observation without causing any discomfort to the child. It involves looking at the child's abdomen for any visible abnormalities like distension, asymmetry, masses, or discoloration.

Auscultation:After inspection, the nurse listens to the bowel sounds using a stethoscope. This helps assess peristalsis (movement of food through the intestines) and identify potential problems like bowel obstruction or decreased motility.

Superficial Palpation:This gentle palpation helps assess muscle tone, tenderness, and masses. It's performed after auscultation to avoid altering bowel sounds. Since children are often apprehensive about abdominal exams, starting with a gentler touch can help them feel more comfortable.

Deep Palpation (if necessary):Deep palpation is reserved for last as it can be more uncomfortable for the child. It's used to assess for organomegaly (enlarged organs) or masses that may not be palpable with superficial palpation. It's only performed if there are indications from the first three steps.

Here's a breakdown of why this order is important:

Minimize Discomfort:Starting with non-invasive methods like inspection and auscultation helps establish trust and reduces anxiety in the child, making the overall assessment more cooperative.

Maintain Baseline Bowel Sounds:Palpation can alter bowel sounds, so it's important to listen to them first to get an accurate baseline.

Gradual Progression:Moving from gentle to deeper palpation allows the child to adjust to the sensation and helps the nurse identify potential areas of tenderness before applying deeper pressure.

A. "I will wear gloves when removing food from the freezer": This statement demonstrates understanding of the need to protect the hands from cold exposure, which can trigger Raynaud's disease symptoms. Wearing gloves when handling cold objects, such as food from the freezer, helps minimize the risk of a vasospastic episode.
B. "I will take my medications at the first sign of an attack": This statement indicates a misunderstanding of the appropriate use of medications for Raynaud's disease. While medications such as calcium channel blockers may be prescribed to prevent or reduce the frequency and severity of attacks, they are typically taken regularly as part of ongoing management rather than at the first sign of symptoms. This client may need additional education on the proper use of medications for Raynaud's disease.
C. "I will try to anticipate and avoid stressful situations when possible": Stress can exacerbate symptoms of Raynaud's disease by triggering vasospasm, so anticipating and avoiding stressful situations is a proactive strategy to help prevent attacks. This statement reflects an understanding of the importance of stress management in managing the condition.
D. "I will complete the smoking cessation program I started": Smoking is a significant risk factor for Raynaud's disease and can worsen symptoms by constricting blood vessels. Committing to a smoking cessation program demonstrates the client's recognition of the importance of lifestyle modifications in managing the condition.