A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has cancer and is undergoing external radiation therapy. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

A) You can splint the incision with a pillow when changing position: Splinting the incision with a pillow is an excellent nonpharmacological method to manage pain during position changes after a cesarean section. The pillow helps provide support to the incision site, reduces strain on the abdominal muscles, and minimizes discomfort when the client moves. This is a safe and effective intervention to help with pain management.

B) You should change position as little as possible: While minimizing movement might seem like a way to prevent pain, it can lead to complications like muscle stiffness, poor circulation, and respiratory issues. It’s important for clients to change positions to promote comfort, circulation, and lung expansion, but they should do so with support to manage pain effectively.

C) You should use patterned paced breathing when changing positions: Patterned paced breathing is a helpful relaxation technique that can be used in various situations, including labor and delivery. However, it is not the most appropriate response in this context, as the client’s pain is more related to physical discomfort from the incision, and physical support (like splinting the incision) would be more effective in managing this type of pain.

D) You can apply counterpressure to your back with each position change: While counterpressure can be beneficial for back pain during labor, it is not the most relevant technique for managing pain after a cesarean section, where the pain is related to the abdominal incision site. Splinting the incision provides more targeted support for post-cesarean discomfort.

A) Steatotic liver disease: Steatotic liver disease, or fatty liver disease, is typically associated with excess fat in the liver, often linked to alcohol use, obesity, or diabetes. While it can affect liver function, it is not primarily associated with deficiencies in iron and vitamin B12. Therefore, this condition is not directly related to the lab findings of low iron and vitamin B12.

B) Leukemia: Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, leading to abnormal white blood cell production. While leukemia can cause anemia as a secondary effect due to bone marrow dysfunction, it is not typically characterized by deficiencies in both iron and vitamin B12 simultaneously. The lab findings are more consistent with a nutritional or absorption issue rather than leukemia.

C) Hepatitis: Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver, usually caused by a viral infection or other factors. While hepatitis can lead to various blood abnormalities, it is not specifically linked to both iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies. Hepatitis more commonly affects liver function and may cause jaundice, but it does not directly explain low iron and B12 levels.

D) Anemia: Both iron and vitamin B12 are essential for the production of healthy red blood cells. Iron deficiency can lead to iron-deficiency anemia, and vitamin B12 deficiency can cause pernicious anemia. Therefore, low levels of both iron and vitamin B12 suggest the possibility of anemia, and the nurse should monitor the client for signs and symptoms of this condition, such as fatigue, pallor, and weakness.