A nurse is providing preoperative teaching to a client about the administration of morphine via a PCA pump.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

The correct answer is choice C: Initiate continuous cardiac monitoring.

Choice A rationale:

Implementing fluid restrictions is not recommended for a child with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA is characterized by severe dehydration due to osmotic diuresis, and fluid replacement is a critical component of treatment to restore hydration and circulatory volume.

Choice B rationale:

Monitoring vital signs every 8 hours is not sufficient for a child with DKA. DKA is an acute, life-threatening condition that requires close monitoring of vital signs to detect changes in the patient’s condition promptly. Vital signs should be monitored more frequently, typically every 1 to 2 hours, depending on the severity of the DKA and institutional protocols.

Choice C rationale:

Continuous cardiac monitoring is recommended for a child with DKA. DKA can lead to serious electrolyte imbalances, such as hypokalemia, which can cause cardiac arrhythmias. Continuous cardiac monitoring allows for the early detection and treatment of these potential complications.

Choice D rationale:

Administering subcutaneous insulin 30 minutes before meals is not appropriate for the acute management of DKA. In DKA, insulin is typically administered intravenously to rapidly decrease blood glucose levels and correct metabolic acidosis. Subcutaneous insulin is not used until the patient is stable and able to eat.

Choice A rationale: Evaluating the fetal heart rate tracing is the most critical action in this scenario. The client is at 31 weeks of gestation and reports decreased fetal movement, which could indicate fetal distress. The nurse should first assess the fetal heart rate tracing to ensure the fetus is not in distress. Normal fetal heart rate is between 110 and 160 beats per minute.

Choice B rationale: Obtaining a 24-hour urine collection is important for assessing proteinuria, a sign of preeclampsia, but it is not the most immediate concern. The nurse can initiate this after ensuring the fetus is not in distress.

Choice C rationale: Administering acetaminophen PO (by mouth) can help relieve the client’s headache, but it is not the most immediate concern. The nurse can administer this medication after ensuring the fetus is not in distress and initiating other prescribed treatments.

Choice D rationale: Administering magnesium sulfate IV (intravenously) can prevent seizures in clients with preeclampsia. However, before administering this medication, the nurse should ensure that the fetus is not in distress.

Choice E rationale: Administering betamethasone IM (intramuscularly) can help accelerate fetal lung maturity in case of preterm labor. However, before administering this medication, the nurse should ensure that the fetus is not in distress.

Choice F rationale: Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter can help monitor urine output, which is important for clients receiving magnesium sulfate because oliguria can be a sign of magnesium toxicity. However, before inserting the catheter, the nurse should ensure that the fetus is not in distress.