A nurse is caring for a client who has terminal cancer. The client tells the nurse, "I feel worn out and don't have the energy to fight this disease. Am I dying?" Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

A. Speak with a loud voice while providing the information: Increasing the volume of speech is not effective for clients with expressive aphasia because their difficulty lies in producing language, not hearing. Speaking loudly may cause frustration or discomfort without improving communication.

B. Determine the client's ability to use a communication board: Assessing the client’s ability to use a communication board is an essential strategy to facilitate effective communication. Augmentative tools like communication boards can help them convey their needs and participate in teaching.

C. Provide the teaching without expecting the client to respond: Teaching without expecting any response can lead to missed opportunities for interaction and engagement. Encouraging some form of response, even nonverbal or through assistive devices, helps evaluate the client’s comprehension and maintains their involvement.

D. Avoid the use of facial gestures during the instructions: Facial gestures, body language, and visual cues play an important role in enhancing communication for clients with aphasia. Using expressive gestures should be encouraged to supplement verbal teaching and promote better comprehension.

A. Administer an antibiotic: There is no indication of infection; WBC count is normal, and the client is afebrile. The reported symptoms relate to lifestyle and substance use rather than a bacterial illness, making antibiotics unnecessary.

B. Limit alcohol intake to 2 drinks per day: The client uses 4–5 beers nightly to sleep, indicating alcohol misuse that can exacerbate hypertension and negatively impact sleep quality. Limiting intake supports cardiovascular and liver health, and aligns with public health recommendations.

C. Limit foods high in potassium: The client’s potassium level is within the normal range (3.7 mEq/L), and there is no evidence of kidney dysfunction or hyperkalemia. Restricting potassium is unwarranted and could risk deficiency.

D. Administer a diuretic: The client has elevated blood pressure (162/90 mm Hg), which may require pharmacologic intervention. Diuretics are a common first-line treatment for hypertension as they reduce fluid overload and vascular resistance.

E. Keep daily fat intake to less than 35%: The client’s LDL (210 mg/dL) and total cholesterol (248 mg/dL) levels are significantly elevated. Reducing total fat intake, particularly saturated fats, is essential for lowering cholesterol and reducing cardiovascular risk.

F. Place on 2,300 mg sodium diet: A sodium-restricted diet is standard for managing hypertension. The American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium to help control blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular complications.