A nurse is preparing a client's body for a postmortem family viewing.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A rationale:

Allowing the patient to lift the CPM machine onto the bed is not a safe practice. Arthroscopic surgery may result in limited mobility and discomfort for the patient. Lifting heavy equipment could potentially strain the surgical site or lead to injury.

Choice B rationale:

Telling the patient that CPM will not hurt at all is not accurate. While CPM is a passive motion technique aimed at preventing joint stiffness, some discomfort or mild pain may be experienced, especially during the initial sessions. Managing the patient's pain is essential to ensure compliance with the CPM exercises.

Choice C rationale:

Suggesting that the patient does not need to do CPM exercises is incorrect. CPM exercises are often prescribed after joint surgery to prevent joint stiffness, improve circulation, and aid in recovery. Discouraging the patient from participating in these exercises would be detrimental to their postoperative outcome.

Choice D rationale:

Administering an opioid analgesic to the client 30 minutes before initiating CPM exercises is the correct choice. CPM exercises can be uncomfortable for some patients, especially in the initial stages, and providing adequate pain relief before starting the exercises promotes patient comfort and compliance. It helps ensure that the patient can perform the exercises effectively without undue pain, reducing the risk of complications and promoting a successful recovery.

The correct answer is Choice B: Administer the medication to the toddler each evening.

Choice B rationale: Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist used for the long-term management of asthma, especially in preventing nighttime symptoms. It is typically prescribed to be administered once daily in the evening to provide optimal therapeutic benefits. By instructing the parents to give the medication each evening, the nurse promotes adherence to the prescribed dosing schedule and helps maximize the medication's effectiveness in controlling the toddler's asthma symptoms.

Choice A rationale: While some medications can be mixed with juice or other liquids to make them more palatable for children, montelukast should not be dissolved in a drink. Instead, it can be mixed with a spoonful of cold, soft food, such as applesauce or ice cream, if necessary, to facilitate administration. Mixing with juice could potentially alter the medication's efficacy or create an unpleasant taste.

Choice C rationale: Montelukast is not indicated for use as a quick-relief medication prior to physical activity. It is a maintenance medication intended for long-term asthma control rather than immediate relief of acute symptoms. Providing an additional dose of montelukast before physical activity would not serve the intended purpose and could increase the risk of side effects.

Choice D rationale: Montelukast is not meant to be used as a rescue medication for acute asthma attacks. It is a long-term control medication that helps prevent asthma attacks and improve overall symptom management. For acute asthma attacks, the toddler would require a fast-acting beta-agonist or other appropriate rescue medication prescribed by their healthcare provider. Administering montelukast during an acute asthma attack would not provide the rapid relief needed to alleviate symptoms and could potentially delay appropriate treatment.