A nurse is collecting data from a client who has a sodium level of 128 mEq/L. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?

Choice A rationale:

Restricting visitation is an essential intervention during an influenza outbreak in a long-term care facility. Influenza is highly contagious and can spread rapidly among residents and staff in a close environment like a long-term care facility. By limiting visitation, the facility can reduce the risk of introducing the virus from the outside and help contain the outbreak. This is a preventive measure to protect vulnerable residents from exposure to the virus.

Choice B rationale:

Providing prophylactic antibiotics for clients who have been exposed to influenza is not a recommended intervention. Influenza is caused by a virus, not bacteria, so antibiotics are ineffective in preventing or treating the infection. Antibiotics should only be used to treat bacterial infections, not viral ones. Inappropriate use of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance and other adverse effects.

Choice C rationale:

Implementing airborne precautions for clients who have influenza is not typically necessary. Influenza primarily spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Standard precautions, such as proper hand hygiene and wearing masks when in close contact with infected individuals, are usually sufficient to prevent the spread of the virus. Airborne precautions are typically reserved for diseases that are transmitted through the airborne route, like tuberculosis.

Choice D rationale:

Assigning healthcare personnel to nondirect care activities for 24 hours after developing influenza symptoms is not a recommended intervention. While it's important for healthcare personnel to stay home when they are sick to prevent the spread of the virus, 24 hours may not be a necessary duration. The standard guideline for healthcare workers with influenza is to stay home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Choice A rationale:

Checking the client's blood pressure is not the priority action when administering digoxin. Although monitoring blood pressure is essential in the overall care of a client with heart failure, the most critical parameter to assess before administering digoxin is the client's apical pulse.

Choice B rationale:

Measuring the client's apical pulse is the correct action to take before administering digoxin. Digoxin is a medication commonly prescribed for heart failure, and it has a narrow therapeutic range. It primarily works by increasing the force of the heart's contractions, and an excessively low heart rate (bradycardia) is a potential side effect of digoxin. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the client's apical pulse to ensure it is within the recommended range (usually above 60 beats per minute) before administering the medication. If the pulse rate is below the recommended range, the nurse should withhold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider.

Choice C rationale:

Offering the client a light snack is not a necessary action before administering digoxin. While it is important to consider the client's dietary needs, it is not directly related to the administration of digoxin. However, if the client has nausea or vomiting, which can be a side effect of digoxin, a light snack might be offered after the medication.

Choice D rationale:

Weighing the client is not the immediate action to take before administering digoxin. Although daily weights can be important for assessing fluid balance in clients with heart failure, it is not the priority before administering digoxin. Monitoring the client's apical pulse is the most critical step in this context.