A nurse is teaching about preventing constipation to a client who has a new prescription for oxycodone. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

Choice A reason: Red meat is high in saturated fats and sodium, which can elevate blood pressure, worsening hypertension. It is not recommended for a heart-healthy diet, as it increases cardiovascular strain. The nurse should suggest leaner proteins instead, making this an incorrect dietary choice.
Choice B reason: Cheese is often high in sodium and saturated fat, contributing to increased blood pressure and cardiovascular risk in hypertension. Low-sodium alternatives are preferred, but cheese is generally discouraged, making this an inappropriate food to recommend for this client’s diet.
Choice C reason: Canned black beans are high in sodium, which exacerbates hypertension by promoting fluid retention and vascular strain. Rinsing reduces sodium, but fresh or low-sodium options are better. This choice is less ideal than fresh produce, making it incorrect for hypertension management.
Choice D reason: Fresh spinach is rich in potassium, magnesium, and fiber, which help lower blood pressure by counteracting sodium and relaxing blood vessels. It aligns with the DASH diet, an evidence-based approach for hypertension, making it the best food to recommend for this client’s condition.

Choice A reason: Increased energy and motivation signal improvement in major depressive disorder, countering fatigue and anhedonia. Serotonin and norepinephrine rebalance, often from treatment, restores drive and engagement, reflecting neurochemical stabilization in the brain’s limbic system, critical for mood regulation and recovery.
Choice B reason: Self-doubt in decision-making reflects persistent depressive symptoms, like low self-esteem and cognitive impairment. Negative thought patterns, driven by altered prefrontal cortex activity, indicate ongoing depression, not improvement, requiring adjusted interventions to address these neurocognitive deficits in major depressive disorder.
Choice C reason: Sleeping 12 hours daily indicates hypersomnia, a depressive symptom, suggesting no improvement. Disrupted circadian rhythms and serotonin dysregulation cause excessive sleep, contrasting with recovery signs like normalized sleep patterns. This reflects persistent neurochemical imbalances hindering mood stabilization in depression.
Choice D reason: Social isolation is a core depressive symptom, driven by anhedonia and low mood, indicating no improvement. Withdrawal reflects ongoing dopamine and serotonin imbalances, preventing social engagement. Recovery involves increased interaction, making isolation a sign of persistent major depressive disorder.