A nurse is reinforcing teaching about disease management with client who has GERD. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

A) Tonic-clonic seizures: Tonic-clonic seizures are typically the result of a seizure disorder, but during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a controlled seizure is intentionally induced to facilitate the therapeutic effects. After the procedure, there should not be uncontrolled tonic-clonic seizures. The goal is to induce a seizure under controlled conditions during the procedure itself, so this is not an expected finding 15 minutes post-ECT.

B) Paresthesias: Paresthesias (tingling or numbness) are not a common immediate side effect following ECT. While ECT can have some neurological effects, paresthesias are more commonly associated with other neurological conditions or nerve injuries, rather than as a direct result of the procedure itself.

C) Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is not a typical immediate consequence of ECT. While ECT can have a range of physical and psychological side effects, sleep apnea, which involves breathing interruptions during sleep, is not an expected finding following the procedure.

D) Disorientation: Disorientation is a common and expected finding following ECT. It typically occurs due to the temporary effects of anesthesia, the brain’s response to the electrical stimulation, and the stress of the procedure. Clients often experience confusion, memory loss, and disorientation for a short period, particularly in the first 15 minutes after the procedure, as the anesthesia wears off and they recover from the induced seizure. This is a normal part of the recovery process.

A) Position the client on their left side.
This is the most appropriate action. The client's symptoms (dizziness, racing heart, and paleness) are consistent with supine hypotensive syndrome, which occurs when the pregnant uterus compresses the inferior vena cava while lying on the back, reducing venous return to the heart. Positioning the client on their left side relieves the pressure on the vena cava, restores normal blood flow, and alleviates these symptoms. This is a common intervention during pregnancy to prevent such complications.

B) Check the client's temperature.
While checking the client’s temperature may be necessary if an infection is suspected, the symptoms described are more indicative of supine hypotensive syndrome rather than an infection. Therefore, checking the temperature is not the priority action in this scenario.

C) Instruct the client to take a brisk walk.
Encouraging the client to take a brisk walk is not an appropriate response to the symptoms described. In fact, moving or exerting oneself might worsen dizziness or lead to further complications. The priority is to relieve the pressure on the vena cava by changing the client's position, not by physical activity.

D) Provide the client with a glass of orange juice.
Although providing orange juice might help if the client is experiencing hypoglycemia, there is no indication from the symptoms described that the client has low blood sugar. The client's symptoms are more likely due to positional changes that affect circulation during pregnancy, and the best immediate action is to change the client's position rather than offering food or drink.