A nurse is caring for several clients who are at risk of developing a pressure injury. Which of the following clients is most at risk?

Answer: A. Administer furosemide.

Rationales

A. Administer furosemide.
Furosemide, a loop diuretic, helps reduce fluid overload by promoting urinary excretion of sodium and water. In a client with cirrhosis and ascites, it decreases abdominal distention, eases breathing by reducing pressure on the diaphragm, and prevents complications related to severe fluid accumulation.

B. Weigh the client weekly.
Weekly weights would not provide sufficient monitoring for a client with ascites, since fluid retention can change rapidly within hours or days. Daily weights are necessary to detect subtle increases in fluid status and to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.

C. Offer the client a high-sodium diet.
A high-sodium diet would worsen fluid retention and ascites, as sodium promotes water retention. Instead, a low-sodium diet is indicated to limit further fluid buildup in the peritoneal cavity.

D. Administer heparin.
Heparin is not a standard intervention for cirrhosis with ascites. Because the diseased liver produces fewer clotting factors, clients are already at risk for bleeding, and anticoagulant therapy would heighten this risk without addressing the underlying problem of fluid accumulation.

Choice A rationale:

Using fingers to remove loose tissue is not an appropriate action for the nurse to take when providing hydrotherapy for a burn wound. This action can cause further trauma to the wound and increase the risk of infection.

Choice B rationale:

Opening small blisters to expose air is contraindicated in burn wound management. The blister roof provides a natural barrier against infection, and puncturing them increases the risk of infection and delays the healing process.

Choice C rationale:

The correct answer is to wash the burn with a mild soap. Cleaning the burn wound with mild soap and water helps remove debris and minimize the risk of infection without causing additional damage.

Choice D rationale:

Applying wet-to-dry dressings is an outdated and inappropriate practice for burn wound care. Wet-to-dry dressings can be painful, disrupt wound healing, and increase the risk of infection. Modern burn wound care focuses on maintaining a moist environment to support optimal healing.