A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has acute glomerulonephritis with edema. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

Choice A Reason:
Ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, can be associated with various conditions, including hearing loss, ear injury, and circulatory system disorders. While it can be distressing, it is not typically a direct indicator of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) following a subdural hematoma.

Choice B Reason:
Memory loss regarding the details of the motor-vehicle crash could be related to the trauma itself or a concussion, but it is not a definitive sign of increased ICP. Memory issues can result from various factors, including psychological trauma or direct brain injury.

Choice C Reason:
Ecchymosis around the eyes, also known as 'raccoon eyes,' can be a sign of a basilar skull fracture. While this may accompany a head injury that could lead to increased ICP, the presence of ecchymosis alone does not confirm an increase in ICP.

Choice D Reason:
A delayed response to verbal commands can be a significant sign of increased ICP. It indicates that the client's cognitive functions may be impaired due to the pressure on the brain, which can affect responsiveness. This is a critical finding that requires immediate medical attention.

Choice A reason:
Monitoring the client for weight loss is not typically associated with transdermal clonidine. Clonidine is an antihypertensive medication and does not have weight loss as a common side effect. Instead, the nurse should monitor blood pressure and heart rate, as clonidine can affect these parameters.

Choice B reason:
Diarrhea is not a common adverse effect of transdermal clonidine. The more frequent gastrointestinal side effect associated with clonidine is constipation, not diarrhea. Therefore, informing the client about diarrhea as an adverse effect would not be accurate.

Choice C reason:
Hypopigmentation under the patch is not a recognized side effect of transdermal clonidine. While skin reactions can occur, they are more likely to be irritation or contact dermatitis at the site of the patch application. Checking for hypopigmentation would not be a standard part of care for a client using a clonidine patch.

Choice D reason:
Dry mouth is a well-documented side effect of clonidine, including its transdermal form. The medication can reduce saliva production, leading to an uncomfortable dryness in the mouth. Advising the client about the possibility of increased dry mouth and ways to manage it, such as chewing sugar-free gum or sipping water, is an important part of patient education and care planning.