A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who has a prescription for elastic bandages to the lower extremities. Which of the following actions should the nurse recommend for the plan of care?

A. "Keep your knees in a locked position when standing for prolonged periods." This instruction is incorrect. Keeping knees locked can lead to muscle fatigue and increased risk of injury during prolonged standing.
B. "Bend at the waist when lifting a heavy object." This instruction is incorrect. Bending at the waist during lifting can strain the lower back and increase the risk of back injuries.
C. "Keep your feet close together when lifting a heavy object." This instruction is incorrect.
Keeping feet close together can make the base unstable and increase the risk of falling or losing balance during lifting.
D. "When lifting a heavy object, keep it close to your body." Correct. Keeping the heavy object close to the body while lifting helps reduce strain on the back and minimizes the risk of injury. This technique allows the body's core muscles to better support the weight.

A. Keep the conversation moving by asking about the client's family: While engaging the client in conversation is important, this statement does not specifically address the client's difficulty in talking about their illness.
B. Let the client know that as their nurse, they are available and willing to listen: Correct. This response demonstrates the nurse's willingness to provide emotional support and active listening. Encouraging the client to express their feelings and concerns about their illness is essential in promoting therapeutic communication.
C. Ask if the client understands what to expect in the advanced stages of the illness: While discussing the client's understanding of their illness is essential, it does not directly address their difficulty in talking to others about it.
D. Ask the client's visitors not to say anything about the advanced disease: This response may hinder communication and restrict the client's opportunity to talk about their feelings and concerns with supportive visitors.