A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for surgery. The client states, "I have decided not to have the surgery." Which of the following responses should the nurse make to the client?

A. Give an antibiotic 30 min before dialysis: Some antibiotics may require timing adjustments around dialysis, but this depends on the specific drug and provider orders. Administering antibiotics is not universally required before each dialysis session.

B. Check the vascular access site for bleeding after dialysis: Monitoring the vascular access site for bleeding, swelling, or infection is a critical safety measure after hemodialysis. Proper assessment helps prevent complications such as hemorrhage or thrombosis.

C. Rehydrate with dextrose 5% in water for orthostatic hypotension: Fluid administration during or after dialysis must be carefully managed due to the risk of fluid overload. Standard rehydration with dextrose 5% in water is not routinely recommended for hypotension after dialysis.

D. Withhold all medications until after dialysis: Not all medications should be withheld; some are given before or during dialysis depending on their pharmacokinetics and dialysis clearance. Blanket withholding of medications can be unsafe and may lead to untreated conditions.

Rationale for correct choices:

• Skin turgor: Poor skin turgor indicates dehydration, which can lead to electrolyte imbalances, hypotension, and renal complications. Immediate assessment and fluid management are necessary to prevent further physiological deterioration.
• Heart rate: A heart rate of 120/min is tachycardic. This can be caused by dehydration, stimulant effects of mania, or other underlying medical issues. It requires prompt monitoring and intervention to prevent cardiovascular compromise.
• Sleep pattern: The client has not slept for 2 days, which increases the risk for physical exhaustion, worsening psychiatric symptoms, and impaired judgment. Sleep deprivation in the context of mania requires immediate attention to stabilize the client.
• Hallucinations: The client reports listening to unseen others, indicating auditory hallucinations. This can pose a risk for self-harm or unsafe behaviors, and immediate psychiatric assessment and intervention are warranted.

Rationale for incorrect choice:

• Hygiene: While the client’s hair and clothing are unclean, indicating self-care deficits, this is not an immediate threat to physiological stability. It is important for overall care planning but does not require urgent intervention compared to dehydration, tachycardia, sleep deprivation, or hallucinations.