A nurse is planning care for a client who is receiving hemodialysis. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Rationale:

A. Dietitian: A dietitian focuses on nutritional needs, which may be beneficial if the client has dietary concerns, but this does not directly address mobility issues related to lower extremity weakness.

B. Physical therapy: Physical therapists specialize in improving strength, balance, and mobility. A referral will help the client develop exercises and strategies to enhance function and reduce fall risk.

C. Case manager: A case manager coordinates healthcare services, but they do not directly provide rehabilitation for weakness. They may be involved later to arrange additional resources after therapy needs are determined.

D. Social services: Social services assist with psychosocial needs, financial support, and community resources, but they are not the primary referral for addressing physical mobility limitations.

Rationale:

A. Skin cool to touch: Cool skin is more commonly associated with shock states or severe peripheral vasoconstriction, not with a hypertensive crisis. In hypertensive crisis, the client is more likely to have warm skin due to increased circulation from elevated blood pressure.

B. Jugular vein distention: While jugular vein distention can occur in right-sided heart failure or severe fluid overload, it is not a hallmark manifestation of hypertensive crisis. The acute issue in hypertensive crisis is extreme elevation in blood pressure with end-organ effects.

C. Headache: Severe headache is a common and classic symptom of hypertensive crisis due to sudden, extreme elevations in blood pressure causing increased ICP and cerebral vessel stress. It often signals an urgent need for BP control to prevent complications such as stroke.

D. Weak peripheral pulses: Weak pulses are more often associated with low cardiac output or severe arterial obstruction. In hypertensive crisis, peripheral pulses are typically bounding and strong because of the elevated systemic vascular resistance.