A nurse is preparing to provide postmortem care for a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

A. Ask the family if they wish to assist in washing the client's body:

This is an appropriate action. Providing an opportunity for the family to participate in postmortem care can be a culturally sensitive and therapeutic approach. It allows the family to be involved in a meaningful way and may contribute to the grieving process.

B. Turn overhead lights to a bright setting:

This is incorrect. The environment for postmortem care should be handled with respect and consideration for the family. Turning the lights to a bright setting may create an uncomfortable or clinical atmosphere. A calm and serene environment is more appropriate for this sensitive task.

C. Leave the client's eyes open until the family views the body:

This is incorrect. It is customary to gently close the deceased person's eyes as part of postmortem care. Leaving the eyes open may be distressing for the family and does not contribute to creating a peaceful appearance.

D. Remove the client's dentures for their family to keep:

This is incorrect. Dentures are typically returned to the family rather than kept by the family. The nurse should handle the removal of any personal items with sensitivity and respect, returning them to the family as appropriate.

A. Combining medications with the formula in the feeding bag:

This is not recommended because it may lead to interactions between the medications and the enteral feeding formula. Medications may also adhere to the tubing or interfere with the absorption of nutrients from the feeding formula.

B. Diluting each crushed medication with warm water:

While diluting medications may be necessary for some drugs, it is not a general rule for all medications. Additionally, dilution with warm water may not be appropriate for all drugs, and the amount of water needed may vary. It's safer to use a standardized method, such as flushing the tube with sterile water.

C. Mixing the medications together in a single syringe:

This is generally not recommended because different medications may have incompatible properties or form precipitates when mixed together. Mixing medications in a single syringe can compromise the effectiveness of each medication and may lead to unpredictable reactions.

D. Flush the NG tube with 5 mL of sterile water for irrigation prior to administration:

Flushing the tube with sterile water helps ensure that the tube is clear of any residual formula, preventing potential interactions between the medication and the enteral feeding. It also helps clear the tube, reducing the risk of clogs or blockages. Using sterile water helps maintain aseptic technique.