A nurse is preparing an in-service presentation about preventing health care associated infections (HAIs).
The nurse should include which of the following as a common cause of these infections?

Increasing regular weight-bearing activities can help prevent osteoporosis by stimulating bone formation and improving muscle strength. Weight-bearing activities are those that make your bones and muscles work against gravity, such as walking, jogging, dancing, or lifting weights.

Choice A is wrong because protecting the client’s bones with strict bedrest can actually increase the risk of osteoporosis by reducing bone density and muscle mass. Bedrest should be avoided unless medically necessary.

Choice B is wrong because providing the client with assisted range of motion exercises twice daily is not enough to prevent osteoporosis. While these exercises can help maintain joint mobility and flexibility, they are not weight bearing and do not stimulate bone formation.

Choice C is wrong because decreasing the amount of calcium in the client’s diet can also increase the risk of osteoporosis. Calcium is an essential mineral for bone health and adults need 700mg a day, which can be obtained from foods such as dairy products, leafy green vegetables, tofu, and dried fruit. Vitamin D is also important for bone health as it helps the body absorb calcium.

Fluid volume excess is wrong because appendicitis does not cause fluid retention or overload. It may cause fluid loss due to vomiting, fever, or rupture of the appendix. Therefore, a more appropriate nursing diagnosis would be the risk for deficient fluid volume.

Choice B. Risk for infection is correct because appendicitis is an inflammatory condition that can lead to bacterial infection, especially if the appendix ruptures and causes peritonitis or abscess formation.

Choice C. Ineffective thermoregulation is correct because appendicitis can cause fever due to inflammation and infection.

Choice D. Pain is correct because appendicitis causes acute abdominal pain that usually starts in the periumbilical area and then localizes to the right lower quadrant. The pain may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and rebound tenderness.