A nurse l monitoring an IV for a client who is to receive 120 mL of lactated Ringer's over 1 hr. The drip factor on the manual IV tubing is 15 gtt/mL. The nurse should ensure that the drip rate is set for how many gtt/min? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

A) Assist the client with range-of-motion exercises of the hands:
This task is appropriate for the assistive personnel (AP) as it is a routine, non-invasive intervention that can help maintain mobility and prevent contractures in the hands. The AP can assist with range-of-motion exercises, following proper technique, and reporting any abnormalities to the nurse. This falls within the AP's scope of practice and can be delegated to them effectively.

B) Determine the circulation status of the affected extremities every hr:
Assessing circulation is a nursing responsibility and requires clinical judgment to identify signs of impaired circulation, such as color changes, pulse, or temperature of the skin. This task cannot be delegated to an AP, as it requires a nurse’s skill to interpret findings and take appropriate action.

C) Instruct the client's family about the purpose of mitten restraints:
Educating the client's family about the use of mitten restraints is a responsibility of the nurse, not the AP. This involves assessing the family’s understanding, providing relevant information, and answering any questions they may have. Only licensed healthcare professionals are responsible for providing education about the purpose and use of restraints.

D) Evaluate the need for the client to remain in mitten restraints:
Evaluating the necessity of restraints involves assessing the client's condition, safety, and overall care needs. This requires critical thinking and professional judgment and should be performed by the nurse, not the AP. The nurse must determine if the restraints continue to be necessary or if they can be removed, ensuring the client’s safety and dignity.

A) Encourage the family to be with the child during mealtimes: While family support during mealtimes can be helpful, it is not the first priority in this situation. The most important step is to understand the child’s dietary habits and challenges in order to create a more targeted and effective approach to addressing the poor dietary intake.

B) Obtain the child’s dietary history: The first step should be to gather information about the child’s dietary history. Understanding what the child is eating, how often, and any potential barriers to proper nutrition (e.g., food preferences, allergies, or cultural practices) is crucial for identifying the root cause of the poor dietary intake. This information will guide the nurse in making appropriate recommendations for improving the child's nutrition.

C) Instruct the family to praise the child when they eat: While positive reinforcement can be a useful strategy, it is not the first step in addressing poor dietary intake. The nurse needs to assess the child’s dietary habits and any possible issues before recommending specific behavioral strategies.

D) Offer the child nutritious snacks between meals: Offering nutritious snacks is a good strategy for improving a child’s nutrition, but it should come after gathering a clear understanding of the child’s eating habits. Without knowing the child’s preferences and needs, it’s better to first assess and identify the cause of the poor intake before recommending snacks.