A nurse is discussing discharge plans with an older adult client who lives alone and has left-sided weakness following a stroke.
Which of the following information is the priority for the nurse to discuss?

Choice A rationale:

Encouraging fluid intake of 2,500 mL/day is the correct choice for a client with a fever due to an infection. Adequate hydration is essential in managing fever as it helps to prevent dehydration, maintain electrolyte balance, and support the body's immune response. Increasing fluid intake, preferably water, can also aid in lowering body temperature and promoting overall comfort.

Choice B rationale:

Maintaining the environmental temperature at 16°C to 18°C (60°F to 65°F) is not an appropriate intervention for a client with a fever. While it's essential to keep the client comfortable, adjusting the room temperature within a specific range is not the primary intervention. Focus should be on managing the fever through hydration, antipyretic medications, and addressing the underlying infection.

Choice C rationale:

Immersing the client in cold water is not a recommended intervention for managing fever. Cold water immersion can lead to shock, vasoconstriction, and potentially worsen the condition. It is essential to use methods like tepid sponging or cooling blankets if necessary, but these interventions should be performed under healthcare provider guidance and monitoring.

Choice D rationale:

Assisting the client to ambulate is a general nursing care activity and does not specifically address the fever due to infection. While ambulation is encouraged for many patients to prevent complications related to immobility, it is not the primary intervention for managing fever. The focus should be on hydration and other appropriate measures to reduce fever.

Choice A rationale:

Taking temperature within 30 minutes after the first morning void is specific to ovulation prediction kits, not the basal body temperature method.

Choice B rationale:

Taking temperature 1 hour after getting out of bed is not accurate for tracking basal body temperature fluctuations related to the menstrual cycle.

Choice C rationale:

Taking temperature every night before going to bed does not provide consistent basal body temperature readings, as the body temperature needs to be taken at the same time every morning to detect subtle changes related to the menstrual cycle.

Choice D rationale:

This is the correct answer. To use the basal body temperature method effectively, the client should take their temperature immediately after waking and before getting out of bed every morning. This helps in detecting the slight rise in basal body temperature that occurs after ovulation, indicating the fertile period.