A nurse is providing teaching about blood pressure measurement to a client who has hypertension. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Choice A reason: Thawing frozen meat on the counter is not a good practice for food poisoning prevention because it can allow bacteria to grow rapidly on the surface of the meat. Thawing frozen meat should be done in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave.

Choice B reason: Reusing leftover marinade as sauce is not a good practice for food poisoning prevention because it can contaminate cooked food with raw meat juices that may contain bacteria. Leftover marinade should be discarded or boiled for at least one minute before using as sauce.

Choice C reason: Apple pie is a good choice for food poisoning prevention because it is unlikely to contain harmful bacteria or toxins. Apple pie is made from cooked apples, sugar, flour, and butter, which are low-risk ingredients for food poisoning. Apple pie should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer after cooling to prevent spoilage.

Choice D reason: Cooked rice is not a good choice for food poisoning prevention because it can harbor a bacterium called Bacillus cereus, which can produce toxins that cause vomiting and diarrhea. Cooked rice should be cooled quickly and stored in the refrigerator for no more than one day or in the freezer for longer periods. Cooked rice should be reheated thoroughly before eating.

Choice A reason: Serum creatinine 3.5 mg/dL is high and indicates the need for further assessment. Creatinine is a waste product of muscle metabolism that is filtered by the kidneys. High creatinine levels can indicate kidney damage or impaired renal function.

Choice B reason: Hematocrit 45% is within the normal range (37-47% for women, 40-50% for men), and it does not indicate the need for further assessment. Hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. Low hematocrit levels can indicate anemia, bleeding, or hemolysis.

Choice C reason: Blood urea nitrogen 18 mg/dL is within the normal range (7-20), and it does not indicate the need for further assessment. Blood urea nitrogen is a waste product of protein metabolism that is filtered by the kidneys. High blood urea nitrogen levels can indicate dehydration, kidney damage, or high protein intake.

Choice D reason: Sodium 140 mEq/L is within the normal range (135-145), and it does not indicate the need for further assessment. Sodium is an electrolyte that helps maintain fluid balance, blood pressure, and nerve impulses. Low or high sodium levels can cause confusion, seizures, or coma.