A nurse is caring for a client who has sickle cell anemia. The client asks. "Why do I feel so tired and fatigued all of the time?" Which of the following information should the nurse provide?

A. Check the client's vital signs. While vital signs are important for overall assessment, the immediate priority when faced with wound dehiscence is to protect the wound and prevent further contamination or damage.

B. Cover the wound with a moist, sterile gauze dressing. The first priority is to cover the wound with a moist, sterile dressing to protect it from infection and to manage the drainage. This helps in creating a barrier to prevent contamination and supports the wound environment for healing.

C. Assess the client's pain level. Pain assessment is important but not the immediate priority in this case. Managing the wound and preventing further complications is more critical.

D. Obtain a culture and sensitivity of the wound drainage. While obtaining a culture is important to identify any infection, it is not the first action. Protecting the wound from further contamination comes first.

A. Massage over erythematous bony prominences: Incorrect. Massaging over areas of erythema (redness) can cause further damage to the underlying tissues and should be avoided. It may exacerbate tissue injury and increase the risk of skin breakdown.

B. Use pillows to keep heels off the bed surface: Correct. Elevating the heels with pillows helps to reduce pressure and prevent pressure ulcers by keeping them off hard surfaces. This is a recommended practice to reduce the risk of heel pressure ulcers.

C. Implement turning schedule every 4 hr: Incorrect. A turning schedule of every 2 hours is generally recommended to prevent pressure ulcers. Four hours is too long and increases the risk of skin breakdown in immobile patients.

D. Keep the client's skin dry with powder: Incorrect. Powders can dry out the skin and increase friction, potentially leading to skin breakdown. It's more important to maintain moisture balance and avoid the use of powders on skin at risk.

E. Minimize skin exposure to moisture: Correct. Moisture can contribute to skin breakdown, especially in incontinent patients. It is crucial to keep the skin clean and dry to prevent moisture-associated skin damage.