A nurse is caring for a client who has just had a central venous catheter placed via the right subclavian vein. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Apply foam handles to the client's eating utensils. This intervention can help the client grip the utensils better and improve their ability to eat.

Reasons why the other options are not answers:

Option A: Having an assistive personnel feed the client may decrease the client's autonomy.

Option C: Obtaining a referral for physical therapy may be helpful but does not address the immediate issue of difficulty with eating.

Option D: Asking the provider for a prescription for a pureed diet may not be necessary or desirable at this time.

The correct answer is choice D, Describe the food placement as though the plate were a clock. When delivering the client's meal tray, the nurse should describe the food placement as though the plate were a clock to help the client know where the food is located. This helps the client be more independent and participate actively at mealtime. Choice A is incorrect because arranging for assistive personnel to feed the client may take away the client's independence. Choice B is incorrect because discouraging conversations during the client's mealtime may make the client feel isolated. Choice C is incorrect because providing the client with small-handled adaptive utensils may not help the client locate food on the plate.

Other choices:

A. Arrange for assistive personnel to feed the client: Arranging for assistive personnel to feed the client may take away the client's independence.

B. Discourage conversations during the client's mealtime: Discouraging conversations during the client's mealtime may make the client feel isolated.

B. Provide the client with small-handled adaptive utensils: Providing the client with small-handled adaptive utensils may not help the client locate food on the plate.