A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for surgery the following day. During the night, the client is unable to sleep and is restless. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

The correct answer is choice D: "Provide mouth care to them at least every 2 hours."

Choice A rationale:

Encouraging meals at least three times daily is not appropriate for a client who is near death. As clients approach the end of life, their appetite often decreases, and they may be unable to tolerate regular meals. It's more important to focus on providing comfort and relief.

Choice B rationale:

Keeping the room warm to help them breathe easier is not necessarily true. While a comfortable room temperature can be important for the client's overall comfort, warmth alone does not significantly impact breathing in the context of impending death. Breathing difficulties at this stage are usually related to physiological changes rather than room temperature.

Choice C rationale:

Helping the client onto their left side if they are experiencing nausea is not a universally applicable instruction. While left-side positioning can help alleviate nausea for some clients, it might not be suitable for everyone. Nausea can be caused by various factors, and the caregiver should assess the client's comfort and preferences before changing their position.

Choice D rationale:

Providing mouth care to the client at least every 2 hours is the most appropriate instruction among the choices. Near the end of life, many clients become less able to maintain their oral hygiene due to various factors, including weakness and reduced consciousness. This can lead to discomfort and potential complications. Regular mouth care helps keep the client's mouth moist and clean, enhancing their overall comfort.

The correct answer is choice B: "Support the client's feet with foot boots."

Choice A rationale:

Flexing the client's feet using pillows might not be sufficient to prevent foot drop. Foot drop is a condition where the client is unable to dorsiflex their foot, and using pillows alone may not provide adequate support to prevent this condition.

Choice B rationale:

Supporting the client's feet with foot boots is the most appropriate intervention to prevent foot drop due to immobility. Foot boots are specifically designed to hold the foot in a dorsiflexed position, preventing the calf muscles from tightening and causing foot drop.

Choice C rationale:

Placing a hand roll under the client's heels might offer some relief, but it's not the most effective intervention for preventing foot drop. Hand rolls are generally used to prevent footdrop by keeping the ankles in a neutral position, rather than solely supporting the heels.

Choice D rationale:

Removing ankle-foot orthotic devices at bedtime is not recommended if the client is at risk for developing foot drop. Ankle-foot orthotic devices are designed to provide continuous support to the feet and prevent muscle contractures. Removing them at bedtime could compromise the effectiveness of the intervention.