A nurse is teaching about how to suppress lactation with a client who is postpartum and bottle feeding their newborn. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

A. "Think about a positive outcome to a stressful situation." - This instruction describes a cognitive restructuring technique, which involves reframing negative thoughts with positive ones. While cognitive restructuring can be helpful for managing stress and anxiety, it is not specifically related to progressive relaxation.
B. "Tighten a muscle group, then release the tension and move to the next one." - This is the correct instruction for progressive relaxation. Progressive relaxation involves systematically tensing and relaxing muscle groups throughout the body to reduce physical tension and promote relaxation. By sequentially tensing and releasing muscle groups, the client learns to recognize and control muscle tension, which can help alleviate stress and anxiety.
C. "Focus on a pleasant memory and express your emotions in writing." - This instruction describes a journaling or expressive writing technique, which can be beneficial for processing emotions and reducing stress. However, it is not specific to progressive relaxation.
D. "Picture taking the stress you feel and pushing it down and out of your feet." - This instruction describes a visualization or imagery technique, where the client visualizes releasing stress from the body. While visualization can be a component of relaxation exercises, it is not specifically associated with progressive relaxation, which focuses on muscle tension and relaxation.

Answer: A

Rationale: A) "Empty your ostomy pouch when it is half full.": This instruction is essential to prevent the pouch from becoming too heavy, which can cause leakage or discomfort. Regular emptying also helps maintain the integrity of the pouching system and prevents leaks.

B) "Notify the provider if your stoma becomes pink and moist.": While it's crucial to monitor the stoma's appearance for signs of complications, a pink and moist stoma typically indicates healthy tissue. This instruction may cause unnecessary concern for the client.

C) "Use a moisturizing soap to cleanse your stoma.": Moisturizing soap is not recommended for stoma cleansing, as it may leave a residue that interferes with the pouch's adhesion and can lead to skin irritation. Instead, the client should use warm water and a mild, non-moisturizing soap.

D) "Apply sterile gloves when changing your ostomy pouch.": While hand hygiene is essential when managing an ostomy, sterile gloves are not necessary for routine pouch changes. Clean, non-sterile gloves or thorough handwashing with soap and water are sufficient to prevent infection.