A nurse is teaching a client who has a prosthetic limb due to a right below-the-knee amputation about prosthesis and stump care. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A reason:
Difficulty with abduction of the arm at the shoulder is a common finding in clients with a rotator cuff injury. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint and facilitate its movement. When these muscles or tendons are injured, movements such as lifting the arm away from the body (abduction) can become painful and difficult.

Choice B reason:
Alteration in the contour of the joint is not typically associated with a rotator cuff injury. This finding is more indicative of conditions that cause changes in the bone structure, such as arthritis or dislocation.

Choice C reason:
A positive Tinel's sign is used to diagnose nerve compression or nerve damage, particularly in conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome. It is not a test used to assess rotator cuff injuries.

Choice D reason:
A negative drop arm test would suggest that the client does not have a rotator cuff injury. The drop arm test is performed by having the client lift the arm to 90 degrees and then slowly lower it. If the client can control the motion and lower the arm smoothly, the test is negative. A positive drop arm test, where the client cannot control the descent of the arm, would indicate a rotator cuff injury.

Choice A reason:
Activities that could result in bleeding should be minimized for a client with neutropenia due to the increased risk of infection from open wounds. However, this is not the primary restriction related to neutropenia itself but rather a general precaution for patients with low platelet counts or other clotting issues.

Choice B reason:
Restricting all visitors from entering the client's room is not necessary unless the visitors are sick or have been exposed to infectious diseases. Neutropenic patients are at increased risk for infection, so visitors should be screened for illness, but complete isolation is not required.

Choice C reason:
Modifying oral fluid intake to between meals only is not a standard restriction for neutropenic patients. Adequate hydration is essential, and there are no specific neutropenia-related reasons to restrict fluids to between meals.

Choice D reason:
Fresh flowers and potted plants should be avoided in the room of a neutropenic patient. They can harbor fungi and other microorganisms that could cause infection in an immunocompromised individual. Neutropenic precautions typically include avoiding standing water and plants that may contain harmful bacteria or fungi.