A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a mastectomy.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take to help the client cope with the body image change resulting from the surgery?

Transferring the client from the bed to a chair. This is a task that can be delegated to an assistive personnel because it does not require nursing judgment or assessment. The nurse should provide clear instructions and supervise the assistive personnel during the transfer.

Choice B is wrong because checking the client’s surgical dressing for bleeding is a nursing assessment that requires clinical judgment and cannot be delegated.

The nurse should monitor the dressing for signs of infection, drainage, or dehiscence.

Choice C is wrong because determining whether the client has incisional pain is a nursing assessment that requires communication and evaluation skills and cannot be delegated.

The nurse should assess the client’s pain level, location, quality, and duration and administer pain medication as prescribed.

Choice D is wrong because showing the client how to use an incentive spirometer is a nursing intervention that requires teaching and evaluation skills and cannot be delegated.

The nurse should instruct the client on how to use the device to promote lung expansion and prevent atelectasis.

Keep your environment well ventilated. This can help reduce nausea and vomiting by eliminating odors that might trigger them.

Some additional explanations are:

Choice B is wrong because eating three large meals each day can increase nausea and vomiting by overloading the stomach. It is better to eat small, frequent meals and avoid spicy, greasy, or strong-smelling foods.

Choice C is wrong because restricting intake of high-carbohydrate foods can lead to ketosis, which can worsen nausea and vomiting. High-carbohydrate foods can also help settle the stomach and provide energy.

Choice D is wrong because brushing your teeth immediately after eating can stimulate the gag reflex and cause nausea and vomiting. It is better to rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash after eating and brush your teeth at least an hour later.

Normal ranges for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy are:

• Nausea and vomiting usually start around 6 weeks of gestation and peak around 9 weeks. They usually subside by 16 to 20 weeks, but some women may experience them throughout pregnancy.
• Nausea and vomiting are considered mild if they do not interfere with daily activities or nutrition. They are considered moderate if they cause some difficulty with daily activities or nutrition. They are considered severe if they prevent adequate intake of fluids and nutrients, cause weight loss, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or ketonuria.
• Nausea and vomiting that are severe or persist beyond 20 weeks of gestation may indicate a complication such as hyperemesis gravidarum, molar pregnancy, multiple gestation, or infection.