A nurse is reinforcing teaching for a client who has a new sigmoid colostomy. Which of the following comments by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

A. Limit periods of sitting in a chair to 4 hr: Clients with urinary incontinence should avoid prolonged sitting because it increases pressure on the skin and raises the risk of skin breakdown. Sitting should be limited to shorter periods with frequent repositioning to protect skin integrity.

B. Avoid the use of draw sheets for repositioning: Draw sheets are helpful for repositioning clients safely and reducing friction and shear forces on the skin. Avoiding their use would increase the risk of skin injury, especially in clients with incontinence who are already vulnerable.

C. Use a no-rinse perineal cleanser after incontinence: Using a no-rinse perineal cleanser helps maintain skin hygiene, removes urine and feces gently, and prevents irritation or breakdown. It is an important part of incontinence care to protect the client's skin health.

D. Keep the head of the client's bed elevated to 45º: Elevating the head of the bed to 45º degrees is helpful for respiratory support but does not directly address urinary incontinence. Bed positioning should be adjusted based on overall client needs, not specifically to manage incontinence.

• Decreased respiratory effort, bilateral crackles: Reduced respiratory effort following opioid administration suggests opioid-induced respiratory depression. Crackles may indicate early airway compromise due to poor ventilation or fluid accumulation, requiring immediate intervention to support breathing.
• Somnolent: Somnolence beyond expected postoperative drowsiness, especially in combination with other signs of opioid overdose, indicates central nervous system depression. The client is difficult to arouse, raising concern for airway and breathing compromise.
• Pinpoint pupils: Pinpoint pupils are a hallmark sign of opioid toxicity. In the setting of recent morphine administration and accompanying respiratory depression, this finding confirms that opioid overdose is likely occurring and must be treated promptly.
• Respiratory rate 10/min: A respiratory rate under 12 breaths per minute following opioid administration is a major red flag for opioid-induced respiratory depression. Immediate action is needed to prevent further decline in respiratory status, including potential use of naloxone.
• Blood pressure 98/58 mm Hg: The client’s blood pressure has dropped significantly compared to the earlier reading, suggesting opioid-related hypotension. While not yet critically low, the trend combined with other overdose signs indicates instability needing close monitoring and intervention.
• Heart rate 58/min: Although the client is bradycardic, this alone is not the most urgent issue compared to respiratory depression and neurological decline. It should still be monitored closely, but it is less immediately life-threatening than the airway and breathing concerns.
• Temperature 37.4° C (99.4° F): This temperature is within normal range and does not require follow-up. There are no indications of infection or thermoregulatory issues based on the current temperature.