A nurse is teaching a client about self-administration of sublingual nitroglycerin. Which of the following statements should the nurse include?

A. Rotate staff members caring for the client. Clients with paranoid personality disorder often struggle with mistrust and feel suspicious of others. Consistency in staffing is important to build rapport and reduce anxiety, so rotating staff can worsen paranoia.
B. Speak in a neutral tone when addressing the client. This is appropriate because a calm, neutral, and non-threatening tone helps reduce perceived threats or suspicion. It promotes a sense of safety and control, which is important for therapeutic communication with paranoid individuals.
C. Limit the client's opportunities to socialize with others. While clients with paranoid personality disorder may prefer limited interaction, completely restricting socialization can increase isolation and reinforce delusional thinking. Structured, safe interactions are often encouraged.
D. Mix the medication with the client's food items. Administering medication without the client’s knowledge is deceptive and unethical, especially in someone already prone to distrust. Open and honest communication about treatment is crucial for promoting cooperation and trust.

A. Place an ice pack over the cast. While this can help reduce swelling and pain, it is a comfort measure, not the priority. Safety assessments must be completed first before implementing non-urgent interventions.
B. Position the casted extremity on a pillow. Elevation is important to reduce swelling, but it follows after ensuring that circulation to the extremity is intact and that there are no signs of vascular compromise.
C. Teach the client to keep the cast clean and dry. Education is essential for long-term cast care, but it is not the first action after cast application. Immediate post-procedural monitoring takes precedence.
D. Palpate the pulse distal to the cast. The nurse should first assess for adequate circulation by checking distal pulses. This helps identify early signs of complications like compartment syndrome or impaired blood flow, making it the highest priority.