A nurse is reinforcing teaching about preterm labor with a client who is at 28 weeks of gestation. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

(a) Offer an ice pack to the client during the first 24 hr.
Offering an ice pack is an appropriate intervention for managing perineal pain and swelling in the immediate postpartum period. Ice helps to reduce inflammation and numb the area, providing pain relief. This is a standard recommendation for managing perineal pain after vaginal delivery.

(b) Apply a corticosteroid cream to the perineal area twice daily.
Applying a corticosteroid cream is not typically recommended for perineal pain immediately after delivery. These creams are generally used for inflammatory skin conditions and not for the acute management of perineal pain and swelling after childbirth.

(c) Increase the client's fluid intake for 48 hr.
While maintaining adequate hydration is important for overall recovery, increasing fluid intake specifically does not address the client's perineal pain. This intervention would not provide immediate pain relief for the perineal area.

(d) Catheterize the client's bladder.
Catheterizing the bladder is not a standard intervention for perineal pain. It is typically done if the client has urinary retention or difficulty voiding, not for managing pain. This action would not directly alleviate the perineal pain the client is experiencing.

(a) Serum bilirubin:
While serum bilirubin can provide useful information about liver function, it is not the most immediate concern for a client with hyperemesis gravidarum. This condition primarily involves severe nausea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration and ketosis.

(b) Liver enzymes:
Liver enzymes can be elevated in hyperemesis gravidarum, but they are not the primary concern. The immediate priority is to assess the extent of dehydration and metabolic disturbances.

(c) Urinalysis for ketones:
This test is the priority because it helps determine the extent of dehydration and ketosis. In hyperemesis gravidarum, severe vomiting can lead to significant fluid and electrolyte imbalances and ketosis, which need to be identified and corrected promptly to prevent further complications.

(d) CBC:
A complete blood count (CBC) provides useful information about overall health and can identify anemia or infection, but it is not the priority for immediate assessment of hyperemesis gravidarum. The immediate need is to evaluate hydration status and ketosis, which is best done through urinalysis for ketones.