A nurse is caring for a client who states he recently purchased lavender oil to use when he gets the flu.
The nurse should recognize which of the following findings as a potential contraindication for using lavender?

The correct answer is Choice B: Speak in a normal voice at a natural pace.

Choice A rationale: Directing statements to the interpreter is inappropriate because it can make the client feel excluded from the conversation. The focus of communication should be on the client, and the interpreter is present only to facilitate understanding between the nurse and the client. Direct eye contact and addressing the client directly is important for establishing rapport and trust.

Choice B rationale: Speaking in a normal voice at a natural pace is crucial when working with an interpreter to ensure accurate translation and comprehension. It provides the interpreter with enough time to accurately convey the message while maintaining a conversational flow. Speaking too fast or in an unnatural tone can create confusion and lead to misinterpretation, ultimately affecting the quality of care provided to the client.

Choice C rationale: Using gestures while speaking with the client may not be helpful when working with an interpreter. Gestures may be culturally specific and can lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations. Furthermore, the interpreter may not be able to accurately convey the intended message through gestures, leading to communication errors.

Choice D rationale: Pausing in the middle of sentences is not recommended when working with an interpreter. This practice can disrupt the flow of the conversation, confuse the interpreter, and lead to incomplete translations. It is essential to speak in complete sentences and provide pauses between sentences to enable the interpreter to accurately translate the information to the client.

Choice A rationale:

Acetone breath is a symptom of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a complication of diabetes mellitus. It occurs due to the presence of ketones in the breath and is not specific to hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is characterized by low blood sugar levels, not elevated ketone levels.

Choice B rationale:

Confusion is a common symptom of hypoglycemia. When blood sugar levels drop significantly, the brain may not receive enough glucose to function properly, leading to confusion, dizziness, and other neurological symptoms.

Choice C rationale:

Polydipsia refers to excessive thirst and is a symptom of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels), not hypoglycemia. In hyperglycemic states, the body tries to eliminate excess glucose through urine, leading to increased thirst.

Choice D rationale:

Hot, dry skin is not a typical symptom of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can cause diaphoresis (excessive sweating) and cool, clammy skin due to the body's stress response.