A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who has a gambling disorder. Which of the following nursing interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Rationale:

A. Urinary frequency: As death approaches, urinary output typically decreases due to reduced kidney perfusion. Urinary frequency is not a common sign of impending death and may suggest other unrelated conditions.

B. Difficulty swallowing: Difficulty swallowing is a common manifestation of impending death. As muscle tone declines, the child may struggle to manage secretions or food, increasing the risk of aspiration and signaling the body is shutting down.

C. Decreased sleep: Clients nearing death often exhibit increased sleep or lethargy, not decreased sleep. Diminished responsiveness and longer periods of unresponsiveness are expected in the final stages of life.

D. Increased senses: Sensory function generally declines as death nears. Vision, hearing, taste, and touch may all diminish, and the child may become less responsive to external stimuli. Increased senses are not expected at this stage

Rationale:

• Ask the client for a list of close contacts: The client exhibits classic symptoms of active tuberculosis (TB), including weight loss, night sweats, hemoptysis (bloody cough), and chest tightness. Identifying close contacts is crucial for contact tracing and limiting disease spread.
• Obtain a sputum culture: A sputum culture is essential for diagnosing pulmonary TB. This test confirms the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and guides further treatment decisions.
• Place the client in a negative-pressure room: Clients suspected of having TB should be placed in a negative-pressure isolation room to prevent airborne transmission to others, especially in healthcare settings.
• Use airborne precautions: Airborne precautions, including the use of an N95 respirator, are required for suspected or confirmed TB due to its airborne transmission risk.
• Obtain blood cultures: Blood cultures are not the priority in TB diagnosis unless sepsis is suspected. TB is primarily diagnosed through respiratory samples, not blood.
• Recommend ABGs be drawn: Arterial blood gases (ABGs) are typically unnecessary in TB unless there is respiratory compromise requiring ventilatory support or oxygenation monitoring, which is not indicated here.
• Request a glucocorticoid prescription from the provider: Glucocorticoids are not standard treatment for TB and may suppress immune response. They may be used in specific TB complications like meningitis or pericarditis, but not in general pulmonary TB management.