A nurse is teaching a client about the manifestations of menopause. Which of the following findings should the nurse include?

A. Increased joint pain: Joint pain is not a typical sign of overexposure to phototherapy. While psoriatic arthritis can occur in individuals with psoriasis, it is not directly linked to phototherapy overexposure.

B. Increased body temperature: While phototherapy may slightly raise the body's temperature, a significant increase in body temperature is not a typical indication of overexposure. This could suggest another underlying issue, such as infection or heatstroke.

C. Cool, moist extremities: Cool, moist extremities are not typically associated with phototherapy overexposure. This finding is more indicative of circulatory or other systemic issues, which do not directly result from phototherapy.

D. Small blisters on the skin: Small blisters on the skin are a common sign of overexposure to phototherapy. Phototherapy uses ultraviolet (UV) light, and excessive exposure can lead to skin damage, including burns or blisters, similar to sunburn.

Rationale for Correct Choices:

• Oxygen saturation: The client's oxygen saturation is 94% on room air. While not critically low, given their reported shortness of breath and fatigue, this warrants follow-up. It could be indicative of the severity of their anemia impacting oxygen delivery.
• Blood pressure: The client shows signs of orthostatic hypotension, with a significant drop from 132/60 mm Hg (supine) to 102/50 mm Hg (standing). This change can cause dizziness, falls, and worsened fatigue, and it may be related to anemia or volume depletion that needs evaluation.
• Hematocrit: A hematocrit of 24% is critically low, indicating significant anemia. This aligns with the client’s symptoms of fatigue and dyspnea and requires prompt intervention to determine the underlying cause, such as iron or B12 deficiency.
• Activity level: The client reports shortness of breath with minimal exertion and difficulty keeping up with grandchildren. This functional decline reflects impaired oxygen delivery due to anemia and must be addressed as it affects quality of life and safety.

Rationale for Incorrect Choices:

• Pain level: The client reports no pain or discomfort at this time. While pain is common in rheumatoid arthritis, the current lack of pain does not require further assessment or intervention.
• Temperature: The client's temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), which is normal. There are no signs of infection or inflammation requiring follow-up based solely on this vital sign.
• Breath sounds: Bilateral clear breath sounds indicate that the lungs are not congested and there is no evidence of pulmonary pathology at this time. Therefore, this finding does not require follow-up.