A nurse is reinforcing teaching about anorexia with a client who has COPD. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

A. Dry excess sanitizer from hands with a paper towel: Hand sanitizer should be allowed to dry naturally, and there is no need to wipe it off with a paper towel. Wiping off the sanitizer could reduce its effectiveness in killing germs.

B. Rubs hands together for 10 seconds after applying sanitizer: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends rubbing hands together for at least 20 seconds to ensure that the hand sanitizer covers all surfaces of the hands and effectively kills germs.

C. Apply enough sanitizer to completely cover both hands: It is important to apply a sufficient amount of hand sanitizer (usually about a dime-sized amount) to cover both hands entirely. The sanitizer should be rubbed into all areas of the hands, including between fingers and under nails, until the hands are dry.

D. Clean sanitizer from under fingernails using an orangewood stick: This is unnecessary if the sanitizer is applied properly and rubbed in completely. Hand sanitizer should be used to cover all areas of the hands, including under fingernails, and should be allowed to dry naturally without needing to clean it with a stick.

• Temperature: A temperature of 37.5° C (99.5° F) is within the normal to slightly elevated range and is not high enough to be classified as fever. Therefore, it does not require immediate reporting unless accompanied by other signs of infection or systemic illness.
• Sclera: Yellow-tinged sclera suggests jaundice, indicating possible liver dysfunction, which could be related to substance use or hepatitis. Jaundice is a significant clinical finding that requires immediate provider notification for further evaluation and management.
• Bowel sounds: Hyperactive bowel sounds are a non-specific finding and can result from gastrointestinal irritation, substance use, or stress. Alone, they do not warrant urgent reporting unless accompanied by more serious signs like severe pain or vomiting.
• Abdominal tenderness: Epigastric tenderness could suggest gastrointestinal complications such as hepatitis, pancreatitis, or gastritis, especially in the context of drug use. Abdominal pain on palpation is a concerning symptom that must be reported for further diagnostic workup.
• Anorexia: Significant anorexia along with nausea, vomiting, and substance use points to potential systemic illness or gastrointestinal involvement. In adolescents, persistent anorexia is a warning sign that needs prompt evaluation to prevent nutritional deficiencies and worsening health.
• Breath sounds: Clear breath sounds are a normal finding and do not require immediate provider notification. There are no respiratory concerns indicated by the lung assessment provided in the notes.
• Heart rate: A heart rate of 103/min indicates mild tachycardia, which could be due to dehydration, substance use, or an underlying systemic condition. Tachycardia should be reported to assess if immediate interventions like fluid replacement are necessary.
• Skin: Dry skin with poor turgor signals dehydration, a critical finding especially with the reported vomiting and drug use. Dehydration can rapidly worsen and must be addressed by the provider for fluid management and further care.