A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who is experiencing a herpes simplex outbreak. Which of the following interventions should the nurse recommend?

Regular physical exercise has been shown to promote better sleep. Engaging in daily exercise can help regulate the sleep-wake cycle, promote relaxation, reduce anxiety and stress, and increase overall sleep quality. It is important to note that exercise should ideally be done earlier in the day, at least a few hours before bedtime, as exercising too close to bedtime may actually have a stimulating effect and make it harder to fall asleep.

The other options listed are not the most appropriate recommendations for addressing difficulty in falling asleep:

1. "Sleep longer hours on the weekend." This suggestion may disrupt the client's sleep routine and can lead to inconsistent sleep patterns throughout the week, potentially making it more challenging to fall asleep on subsequent nights.
2. "Keep the television volume low while you are trying to fall asleep." It is generally recommended to create a sleep-friendly environment, which includes reducing external stimuli like noise, light, and electronic devices in the bedroom. However, watching television right before bedtime can interfere with sleep as the bright light and stimulating content can keep the mind awake.
3. "Remain in bed until you fall asleep." This recommendation may contribute to increased frustration and anxiety if the client is unable to fall asleep quickly. It is generally advised to practice good sleep hygiene, which includes getting out of bed if unable to fall asleep after a reasonable amount of time and engaging in a relaxing activity until feeling sleepy again.

The nurse should describe hyperactive bowel sounds as sounds that are loud, high-pitched, and increased in frequency and intensity. They are more frequent than the normal bowel sounds, with a rapid succession of sounds occurring at a rate greater than 5 to 30 sounds per minute.

Hyperactive bowel sounds can be heard in conditions such as gastroenteritis, diarrhea, and early mechanical bowel obstruction. They indicate increased bowel motility and are often associated with increased peristalsis.

To differentiate hyperactive bowel sounds from normal or hypoactive bowel sounds, the nurse can explain that hypoactive bowel sounds are decreased or absent sounds that occur when the bowel motility is decreased, such as in conditions like paralytic ileus or after abdominal surgery. Normal bowel sounds are typically soft, low-pitched, and occur at a rate of 5 to 30 sounds per minute.