A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has a hearing aid. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when the client reports hearing a whistling sound from the hearing aid?

Choice A Reason:

"Encourage your partner to eat three large meals each day." Is incorrect. At the end of life, a patient's appetite might decrease, and they may not tolerate large meals. Encouraging large meals can cause discomfort or be inappropriate for their condition.

Choice B Reason:

"We will use an electric blanket to keep your partner warm." Is incorrect. While maintaining comfort is important, the use of an electric blanket might not be suitable as the patient's circulation and ability to regulate body temperature might be compromised.

Choice C Reason:

"Opioids will be restricted if your partner develops respiratory distress." Is incorrect.

Opioids can be appropriate for managing symptoms like pain or dyspnea at the end of life. Restricting opioids solely due to the risk of respiratory distress might hinder adequate symptom management. The use of opioids should be based on individual patient needs and careful assessment by healthcare providers.

Choice D Reason:

"Assume your partner can hear you, even if they do not respond." Is correct. This statement encourages communication and acknowledges the possibility that the patient might still be able to perceive their surroundings, even if they are not responsive. It supports the importance of providing emotional support and communication during the end-of-life process.

Choice A Reason:

Chlorine bleach is correct. Chlorine bleach is an effective disinfectant against bloodborne pathogens. It's recommended for cleaning surfaces contaminated with blood spills because it can destroy various microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses. However, it's essential to follow proper dilution guidelines and safety precautions when using bleach.

Choice B Reason:

Chlorhexidine gluconate is incorrect. While chlorhexidine gluconate is an antiseptic commonly used for skin disinfection before medical procedures or as a surgical scrub, it's not typically used for cleaning blood spills on surfaces. Its primary application is for skin disinfection, not environmental surface cleaning.

Choice C Reason:

Hydrogen peroxide is incorrect. Hydrogen peroxide is a mild antiseptic that can disinfect wounds or clean certain surfaces. However, it might not be as effective as chlorine bleach in dealing with blood spills. It's generally used more for superficial wound cleaning rather than for disinfecting large contaminated surfaces.

Choice D Reason:

Isopropyl alcohol is incorrect. Isopropyl alcohol is a commonly used disinfectant for surfaces, but when it comes to blood spills, it might not be as effective as chlorine bleach. While it can kill some pathogens, its efficacy against certain bloodborne pathogens may be limited compared to bleach.