A nurse is caring for a client who is at 10 weeks of gestation and reports difficulty sleeping due to frequent urges to urinate throughout the night. Which of the following recommendations should the nurse make?

Rationale:

A. Respiratory acidosis: Chronic diarrhea typically causes metabolic acidosis due to loss of bicarbonate in the stool, not respiratory acidosis. Respiratory acidosis results from hypoventilation and CO₂ retention, unrelated to diarrhea.

B. Hypertension: Chronic diarrhea often leads to fluid and electrolyte imbalances causing hypotension or low blood pressure due to dehydration, rather than hypertension.

C. Hypokalemia: Diarrhea causes significant potassium loss through the gastrointestinal tract, leading to hypokalemia. Low potassium levels can result in muscle weakness, cramps, and cardiac arrhythmias.

D. Hypermagnesemia: Magnesium is usually lost during diarrhea, which more commonly leads to hypomagnesemia rather than elevated magnesium levels. Hypermagnesemia is rare unless there is excessive intake or renal failure.

Rationale:

A. "We only have to tell your parents if your test comes back positive.": Giving conditional privacy based on test results is misleading. Confidentiality in STI testing applies regardless of the outcome and is protected by law in many regions for adolescents.

B. "We need your parents' permission if you are on their insurance.": Insurance coverage does not determine the legal right to consent. While explanation of benefits forms may create confidentiality challenges, consent laws usually allow minors to access STI testing independently.

C. "We will have to get your parents' consent before testing you for STIs.": Requiring parental consent for STI testing contradicts legal protections in many areas that allow minors to access sexual and reproductive health care without parental involvement.

D. “We can test you for STIs without informing your parents.": Supporting the adolescent's autonomy and legal rights, this answer provides accurate information about confidential care and encourages open, respectful communication between the nurse and client.