A nurse is speaking with the caregiver of a client who has Alzheimer’s disease. The caregiver states, “Providing constant care is very stressful and is affecting all areas of my life.” Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A reason: TENS units are effective for chronic pain but less practical 4 hours post-knee arthroplasty due to incision sensitivity; cold packs reduce swelling. Assuming TENS is ideal risks discomfort, critical to avoid in early postoperative pain management, ensuring comfort in acute recovery phases.

Choice B reason: Walking 4 hours post-knee arthroplasty is premature, risking strain or bleeding; cold packs are safer. Assuming walking is appropriate risks complications, critical to prevent in early postoperative care, ensuring pain relief and surgical site protection in clients recovering from knee surgery.

Choice C reason: Lidocaine gel is pharmacological, not nonpharmacological, and inappropriate near fresh incisions; cold packs are correct. Assuming gel is nonpharmacological risks misapplication, potentially causing irritation, critical to avoid in ensuring safe, nonpharmacological pain relief in early post-knee arthroplasty recovery.

Choice D reason: Placing a cold pack reduces swelling and pain 4 hours post-knee arthroplasty, a safe nonpharmacological therapy promoting comfort. This is critical for early recovery, minimizing inflammation, supporting healing, and ensuring effective pain management without medications in clients post-total knee arthroplasty.

Choice A reason: A speech-language pathologist assesses swallowing difficulties, recommending safe feeding techniques for dysphagia, critical for preventing choking and aspiration in older adults. This referral ensures tailored interventions, essential for nutritional safety, reducing pneumonia risk, and supporting quality of life in long-term care settings.

Choice B reason: Occupational therapists address functional skills, not primarily swallowing, which is managed by speech-language pathologists for dysphagia. Assuming their role risks delayed swallowing assessment, potentially increasing choking risk, critical to avoid in ensuring safe eating for older adults in long-term care facilities.

Choice C reason: Respiratory therapists manage breathing issues, not swallowing difficulties, which require a speech-language pathologist for dysphagia. Assuming their involvement risks missing specialized swallowing care, potentially leading to aspiration, critical to prevent in ensuring safe nutrition for older adults with choking risks.

Choice D reason: Social workers address psychosocial needs, not swallowing issues, managed by speech-language pathologists for dysphagia. Assuming their role risks neglecting physical swallowing assessment, increasing choking or aspiration risk, critical to avoid in ensuring safe meal management for older adults in long-term care.