A nurse is reinforcing teaching about foot care to a client who has diabetes mellitus. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

A. Urinary catheter: A urinary catheter is not routinely required for infants with a spica cast. Unless there are specific urinary retention issues or surgical complications, normal voiding is expected, and a catheter would introduce unnecessary risk for infection.

B. Wound vac: A wound vac is used for complex wound management involving significant drainage or delayed healing. Infants with a spica cast typically do not have open wounds that necessitate negative pressure wound therapy, making this equipment unnecessary for discharge.

C. Car seat: A special car seat or car bed is necessary for safe transportation of an infant in a spica cast, as standard car seats cannot accommodate the wide leg positioning. Proper fitting ensures both safety and compliance with transportation regulations during discharge.

D. Feeding pump: A feeding pump is typically used for clients requiring continuous enteral feeding. Unless the infant has a separate feeding disorder or gastrointestinal complication, feeding by mouth is expected, and a feeding pump would not be standard discharge equipment.

• Lung assessment: The client's lungs are clear bilaterally with no signs of respiratory distress or abnormal breath sounds. There is no indication of pulmonary complications, so no further immediate action is needed regarding the lung assessment.
• Vertigo: Vertigo is a common complication following a stapedectomy due to disturbance of the inner ear structures. However, it still requires monitoring because severe or worsening vertigo can increase the risk of falls and indicate inner ear trauma or dysfunction.
• Facial nerve assessment: The presence of left facial droop and asymmetrical smile indicates possible injury to the facial nerve during surgery. This finding is abnormal and requires immediate provider notification for further neurological evaluation and management.
• Pain rating: A pain rating of 5 out of 10 is moderate and, following ear surgery, it should be addressed. Proper pain control is important not only for comfort but also to reduce the risk of increased intracranial pressure from straining or agitation.
• Diminished hearing: Some decrease in hearing can occur temporarily after a stapedectomy due to packing or swelling, but it still needs further monitoring. Persistent or worsening hearing loss could suggest a surgical complication, such as prosthesis dislocation.
• Pupils: The pupils are equal, smaller postoperatively but still reactive to light, which is expected following anesthesia and is not concerning. No immediate intervention is necessary based on pupil assessment findings.