A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a continuous enteral tube feeding and develops diarrhea. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A reason

Ensuring that the client's family supports the provider's decision for surgery is not an appropriate action. While family support is essential in the decision-making process, the primary responsibility lies with the client's health care surrogate or designated decision-maker. The family's support is not a substitute for obtaining informed consent from the designated decision-maker.

Choice B reason

Sending the unsigned informed consent form to the facility's risk manager is not appropriate action. The nurse should not send an unsigned informed consent form to the facility's risk manager. Unsigned consent forms do not have any legal significance or validity. The nurse should work with the health care surrogate to ensure that the consent form is appropriately completed and signed.

Choice C reason

Determining if the procedure is medically necessary for the client is not appropriate action. While the medical necessity of the procedure is important, the decision about the procedure's necessity should be made by the medical team and discussed with the health care surrogate. The nurse's role is to facilitate communication and ensure that the surrogate is informed and involved in the decision-making process.

Choice D reason

When a client is in a coma and unable to provide informed consent, the health care surrogate or designated decision-maker becomes responsible for making medical decisions on behalf of the client. It is essential for the nurse to ensure that the health care surrogate is aware of the situation, understands the risks and benefits of the surgical procedure, and has provided informed consent on behalf of the client.

The correct answer is C.

Engage in low-impact aerobic exercises. Low-impact aerobic exercises, such as walking, swimming, or cycling, can help improve joint mobility, muscle strength, and cardiovascular health in clients with arthritis. They can also reduce pain and inflammation by increasing blood flow and oxygen delivery to the joints. The nurse should advise the client to avoid high-impact exercises, such as running or jumping, that can worsen joint damage and pain. The nurse should also recommend sleeping on a firm mattress that supports the spine and joints, applying heat to relax stiff muscles and joints, and using assistive devices or palms to push off from surfaces to avoid putting extra stress on the fingers.