A nurse is reinforcing teaching about self-management strategies with a client who has emphysema.
Which of the following client statements indicates that the client understands the instructions?

Choice D rationale:

The nurse should seek clarification for the prescribed medication Propranolol when caring for a client with an exacerbation of asthma. Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker, and its use can exacerbate bronchoconstriction and potentially worsen asthma symptoms. In patients with asthma, non-selective beta-blockers are generally contraindicated. The nurse should consult with the provider to ensure that Propranolol is the appropriate choice, as there may be safer alternatives to manage the client's condition without worsening their asthma.

Choice A rationale:

Prednisone is a corticosteroid commonly used to reduce inflammation and manage asthma exacerbations. It is an appropriate medication for asthma management and does not require clarification.

Choice B rationale:

Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist that is also used in the management of asthma. It helps to reduce airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction. Montelukast is an appropriate choice for asthma and does not need further clarification.

Choice C rationale:

Aminophylline is a bronchodilator that can be used in the treatment of asthma. While it may have potential side effects and interactions, it is not the first medication that needs clarification in this scenario. Propranolol, due to its potential to worsen asthma symptoms, takes precedence.

Choice A rationale:

The nurse should prioritize collecting data from a client who reports unilateral calf pain when ambulating. This symptom could indicate the presence of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a potentially life-threatening condition. DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, often in the lower extremities. If left untreated, the clot can dislodge and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism. Immediate assessment is crucial to rule out DVT and provide appropriate interventions. The nurse should assess the client's calf for swelling, redness, warmth, and tenderness and may also order diagnostic tests like a duplex ultrasound.

Choice B rationale:

Taking a telephone prescription for a client being transferred from the PACU is important but not the top priority in this situation. While timely transfer and adequate post-operative care are essential, addressing a client with unilateral calf pain and the potential for a DVT takes precedence due to the risk of a life-threatening complication.

Choice C rationale:

Reassuring the partner of a client who sustained a closed head injury is a compassionate action but should not be the first priority. The partner's emotional support can be provided once the immediate medical concerns have been addressed.

Choice D rationale:

Reinforcing a client's dressing on an above-the-knee amputation surgical site is important for the client's post-operative care, but it is not the highest priority when compared to the possibility of a DVT. The nurse should address the client's calf pain first and then attend to the dressing reinforcement.