A nurse is teaching a client who has mitral valve stenosis that has not responded to pharmacological therapies about other treatment options. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in their teaching?

Answer: C. "I am not worried. This sort of thing happens all the time to us 'old people.'"

A. "I brought an updated list of all the medications he takes at home to help you and the doctors determine what the cause of this could be."
This response indicates understanding and proactive involvement in the client’s care. An updated medication list is crucial in evaluating potential causes of delirium, as certain medications or interactions can contribute to changes in mental status.

B. "I notified our family members that they should not come visit for a while, until they are better."
This statement reflects an understanding of the need for a calm environment for the client experiencing delirium. Reducing stimuli and visitors can help the client focus on recovery. It indicates the spouse is aware of the potential impact of social interactions on the client’s condition.

C. "I am not worried. This sort of thing happens all the time to us 'old people.'"
This response indicates a need for further teaching. It reflects a possible misunderstanding of delirium as a normal part of aging, which can be dismissive of the seriousness of the condition. Delirium is often a sign of underlying medical issues and should be treated with concern and urgency. Clients and their families need to understand that delirium is not a typical or benign occurrence and requires appropriate evaluation and intervention.

D. "I am trying to stay positive. I know that most people return to normal, but it is hard to see them like this."
This statement indicates a hopeful attitude while acknowledging the difficulty of the situation. It shows understanding that recovery is possible and reflects the spouse's emotional processing of the situation. Maintaining a positive outlook can be beneficial for both the client and the family during recovery.

A. Ask the client to move their eyes side to side while keeping their head still: This action helps assess if movement exacerbates the client's tinnitus. Tinnitus that worsens with eye movement suggests a potential vascular cause, as the blood vessels surrounding the auditory nerve may be affected. This maneuver is known as the Valsalva maneuver and can help identify vascular issues contributing to tinnitus.

B. Ask the client to breathe in through pursed lips: Breathing through pursed lips is a technique used to help manage shortness of breath and is not directly related to assessing tinnitus or its exacerbating factors.

C. Ask the client to pull the pinna of their ears up and back: Pulling the pinna of the ears up and back is a maneuver commonly performed during otoscopic examination to straighten the ear canal for better visualization of the tympanic membrane. It is not directly relevant to assessing tinnitus or its exacerbating factors.

D. Ask the client to open their mouth widely: Opening the mouth widely is not typically associated with exacerbating tinnitus. This action is more relevant for assessing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction or other oral conditions but is not specific to tinnitus assessment.