A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who is 72 hr postoperative following an above-the-knee amputation. Which of the following actions should the nurse recommend?

Choice A reason: This is an important action, but not the first one. The nurse should obtain sample menus from the dietitian to give to the client after assessing the client's food preferences, needs, and goals. The sample menus should be individualized and tailored to the client's lifestyle, culture, and preferences.

Choice B reason: This is the first action, because the nurse should ask the client to identify the types of foods she prefers before providing any dietary teaching. This can help the nurse to determine the client's current eating habits, knowledge, and readiness to learn. It can also help the nurse to establish rapport and trust with the client, and to involve the client in the decision-making process.

Choice C reason: This is an important action, but not the first one. The nurse should identify the recommended range for the client's blood glucose level after assessing the client's food preferences, needs, and goals. The recommended range for the blood glucose level depends on the type, dose, and timing of the medication, the frequency and intensity of the exercise, and the carbohydrate intake of the client.

Choice D reason: This is an important action, but not the first one. The nurse should discuss long-term complications that can result from nonadherence to the dietary plan after assessing the client's food preferences, needs, and goals. The long-term complications of diabetes mellitus include cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, eye damage, and foot problems. The nurse should explain the benefits of following the dietary plan and the risks of not following it.

Choice A reason: This is a vague and unhelpful response, because it does not provide any information or reassurance to the client who has a new diagnosis of MS. The nurse should explain the general course of MS and the possible variations among clients.

Choice B reason: This is a sympathetic but incomplete response, because it does not address the client's question or provide any information about the course of MS. The nurse should acknowledge the client's feelings and provide factual and realistic information.

Choice C reason: This is the best response, because it provides accurate and relevant information about the course of MS, which is a chronic and progressive disease that affects the central nervous system. MS can cause acute episodes of neurological symptoms, such as vision loss, numbness, weakness, or fatigue, which are followed by periods of remission, when the symptoms improve or disappear. The length and frequency of the episodes and remissions can vary among clients.

Choice D reason: This is a dismissive and unrealistic response, because it does not answer the client's question or respect the client's right to know about the course of MS. The nurse should not avoid the client's concerns or minimize the impact of the diagnosis. The nurse should help the client cope with the uncertainty and plan for the future.