A nurse is caring for a client with urinary incontinence.
What action should the nurse take to prevent skin breakdown?

Choice A rationale
The nurse should wait for 30 minutes and then measure the client’s oral temperature. Consuming cold substances like ice chips can temporarily lower the oral temperature, leading to inaccurate readings. Therefore, it’s recommended to wait for a period of time to allow the oral temperature to return to its normal state.
Choice B rationale
Proceeding to measure the client’s oral temperature immediately after consuming ice chips would likely result in an inaccurately low reading. The cold from the ice chips can temporarily lower the temperature in the mouth.
Choice C rationale
Documenting the inability to obtain an accurate reading of the client’s oral temperature is not the best action in this situation. While it’s important to document any factors that might affect the accuracy of a temperature reading, in this case, the nurse can simply wait a period of time after the client has consumed the ice chips before taking the oral temperature.
Choice D rationale
Providing the client a sip of warm water and waiting 5 minutes before measuring his oral temperature may not be sufficient to ensure an accurate temperature reading. The mouth needs adequate time to return to its normal temperature after consuming something cold.

Choice A rationale

The client should lift the walker and place it down in front of her. This is because lifting the walker provides stability and support as the client moves. It’s important for the client to move the walker first, then step forward to ensure balance and prevent falls.
Choice B rationale
Walking in front of the client to guide her in moving the walker is not the best practice. The client should be allowed to set the pace and the nurse should be beside or slightly behind the client to provide assistance if needed.
Choice C rationale
Having the client move one leg forward with the walker is not the most effective way to use a walker. Both legs should move forward after the walker has been placed down in front of the client.
Choice D rationale
Making sure that the upper bar of the walker is level with the client’s waist is a good practice, but it’s not the best answer for this question. The height of the walker should be adjusted so that the handles are at the level of the client’s wrists when the client’s arms are hanging down. This allows the client to maintain a slight bend in their elbows when holding the handles.