A nurse is planning care for a client who is 1 day postoperative following abdominal surgery.
Which of the following tasks should the nurse delegate to an assistive personnel?

Offer the client fluids high in fiber and protein every hour. This is because clients who have bipolar disorder and are experiencing mania are at risk of dehydration, malnutrition, and weight loss due to increased activity, poor intake, and impaired judgment. Fluids high in fiber and protein can help prevent constipation and promote satiety.

Choice B is wrong because monitoring the client’s vital signs twice per day is not enough for a client who has mania. The nurse should monitor the client’s vital signs more frequently, at least every 4 hours, to assess for signs of dehydration, infection, or cardiac complications.

Choice C is wrong because encouraging the client to participate in group therapy activities each day can increase the client’s stimulation and agitation. The nurse should provide a calming environment with fewer stimuli and solitary activities for a client who has mania.

Choice D is wrong because weighing the client three times per week is not sufficient for a client who has mania. The nurse should weigh the client daily to monitor for weight loss and fluid imbalance.

Face the client at eye level when communicating.

This is because eye contact helps to establish rapport and trust with the client who has dementia and shows respect and attention. Facing the client at eye level also reduces distractions and background noise that might interfere with communication.

Choice B is wrong because offering correction of incorrect client statements can increase confusion, frustration, and agitation in the client who has dementia. Instead of correcting the client, the nurse should acknowledge their feelings and try to understand their perspective.

Choice C is wrong because reorienting the client to date and time with each encounter can be stressful and ineffective for the client who has dementia. Reorientation may work in the early stages of dementia, but as the disease progresses, the client may lose their ability to retain new information and may become more disoriented. Instead of reorienting the client, the nurse should use orienting names or labels whenever possible, such as “Your son, Jack” .

Choice D is wrong because avoiding using gestures when communicating with the client who has dementia can limit the nurse’s ability to convey meaning and emotion. Gestures can help to supplement verbal communication and provide cues for the client who has difficulty understanding words. However, the nurse should avoid using gestures that might be misinterpreted or threatening to the client, such as pointing or waving .