A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a newly licensed nurse about caring for a client who has a history of dysphagia. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

A. Measure the client's abdominal girth daily is correct. Ascites is characterized by fluid accumulation in the abdomen. Measuring abdominal girth regularly is important for monitoring changes in the amount of fluid retention and for assessing the progression of ascites. It is a standard nursing intervention for clients with this condition.

B. Keep the client's daily protein intake below 0.8 g/kg is incorrect. Protein intake should not be restricted to this extent. In fact, adequate protein is important for liver health and to prevent muscle wasting in clients with cirrhosis, unless there are complications such as hepatic encephalopathy.

C. Restrict the client's sodium intake to 3 g per day is incorrect. Sodium intake is typically restricted more severely for clients with ascites. The general recommendation is often less than 2 g per day to help prevent fluid retention and reduce the burden on the heart and kidneys.

D. Position the client supine with legs elevated is incorrect. While elevating the legs can help reduce edema in the legs, positioning the client supine does not provide the same benefit for ascites. Side-lying with legs elevated or sitting with the legs elevated may be more beneficial.

A. "Check the client's skin every 4 hr" is incorrect. Skin checks should be performed more frequently for clients who are immobilized, ideally every 2 hours, to detect early signs of pressure damage and prevent the development of pressure ulcers.

B. "Place a donut-shaped cushion under the client" is incorrect. Donut-shaped cushions can increase pressure on the surrounding tissue, leading to ischemia and an increased risk of pressure ulcers. They are not recommended for ulcer prevention.

C. "Turn the client every/hr" is incorrect. The client should be repositioned regularly, but turning the client every hour is not a standard practice. The typical guideline is every 2 hours for clients at risk of pressure ulcers.

D. "Place the client in a 30° lateral position" is correct. The 30° lateral position helps to reduce pressure on bony prominences, such as the sacrum and heels, and is effective in preventing pressure ulcers. This position minimizes pressure on the skin while promoting circulation.