A nurse is providing discharge teaching to the partner of a client who has a tracheostomy.

Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching

The correct answer is choice B. A client who is 1 day postoperative following a vertebroplasty. A vertebroplasty is a procedure that injects cement into a fractured vertebra to help relieve pain and stabilize the spine. The recovery time for this procedure is usually short and the complications are rare.

Therefore, this client is most likely to be stable and ready for early discharge.

Choice A is wrong because a client who is receiving heparin for deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) needs close monitoring of their blood levels and clotting factors. Heparin is a blood thinner that prevents the clots from getting bigger or breaking loose and traveling to the lungs, which can cause a life-threatening condition called pulmonary embolism (PE).

This client is not a good candidate for early discharge.

Choice C is wrong because a client who has cancer and a sealed implant for radiation therapy needs to be isolated in a special room to prevent exposure of others to radiation. A sealed implant is a small holder that contains a radioactive source that is placed inside or near the tumor to deliver high doses of radiation. This type of internal radiation therapy, also called brachytherapy, can last from several minutes to several days, depending on the type and dose of the radioactive source.

This client is not a good candidate for early discharge.

Choice D is wrong because a client who has COPD and a respiratory rate of 44/min has signs of respiratory distress and possible hypoxemia (low oxygen levels in the blood).

COP

The correct answer is Choice d. Positioning both hands on the grips with his elbows slightly flexed.

Choice A rationale:

• Moving both crutches with the stronger leg forward first is incorrect for a three-point gait.This describes a two-point gait,which is used when a client can bear weight on both legs.In a three-point gait,the client bears weight on the unaffected leg and the crutches,not the stronger leg.
• This action would put excessive weight on the affected leg and could potentially compromise healing or cause further injury.

Choice B rationale:

• Supporting his body weight while leaning on the axillary crutch pads is also incorrect.This can lead to nerve damage in the armpits and should be avoided.
• The weight should be distributed through the hands and wrists,not the armpits.

Choice C rationale:

• Stepping with his affected leg first when going up stairs is incorrect and potentially dangerous.The client should lead with the stronger leg when going up stairs to maintain balance and control.

Choice D rationale:

• Positioning both hands on the grips with his elbows slightly flexed is the correct action for using crutches with a three-point gait.This allows for proper weight distribution,balance,and control of the crutches.
• It also helps to prevent fatigue and strain in the arms and shoulders.

Key points to remember about the three-point gait:

• Weight is borne on the unaffected leg and the crutches,not the affected leg.
• The crutches and the unaffected leg move forward together,followed by the affected leg.
• The client should look ahead,not down at their feet.
• The client should take small,even steps.
• The client should rest as needed.