A nurse on a postpartum unit is reinforcing discharge teaching for a client who had an episiotomy. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

A. Recommend frequent hot baths: Hot baths can exacerbate symptoms in clients with multiple sclerosis by increasing fatigue and worsening muscle weakness due to a rise in core body temperature. Clients are usually advised to avoid overheating and use cooling strategies instead to manage their symptoms.

B. Encourage the client to restrict performing range-of-motion exercises: Range-of-motion exercises are important in maintaining joint flexibility, muscle strength, and overall mobility. Restricting these exercises could lead to increased stiffness, weakness, and decreased functional ability in clients with multiple sclerosis.

C. Monitor the client's ability to perform ADLs: Monitoring the client's ability to perform activities of daily living is essential because multiple sclerosis often leads to progressive physical limitations. Regular assessment helps in planning appropriate interventions, promoting independence, and adjusting care as the disease progresses.

D. Initiate contact precautions: Contact precautions are not necessary for clients with multiple sclerosis because it is not an infectious disease. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune, neurodegenerative condition that requires supportive care rather than infection control measures.

• Administer betamethasone: Betamethasone is administered to pregnant clients at risk of preterm delivery to promote fetal lung maturity. Given the client's gestational age of 31 weeks and signs of severe preeclampsia, administering corticosteroids is critical to prepare for potential early delivery.
• Monitor intake and output every hour: Severe preeclampsia can impair renal function, leading to decreased urine output and worsening fluid retention. Hourly monitoring of intake and output helps detect early signs of renal compromise and fluid overload, both of which require immediate intervention.
• Assist RN with performing a vaginal examination every 12 hr: Vaginal examinations are avoided in cases of severe preeclampsia unless absolutely necessary because they can stimulate uterine contractions or introduce infection. Therefore, routinely assisting every 12 hours with vaginal exams is not appropriate in this client's plan of care.
• Obtain a 24-hr urine specimen: A 24-hour urine collection assesses the degree of proteinuria and provides a clearer diagnostic picture of the severity of preeclampsia. Quantifying protein excretion helps guide clinical management and decisions about timing of delivery.
• Provide a low-stimulation environment: A calm, quiet environment minimizes the risk of seizure activity in clients with severe preeclampsia. Reducing auditory, visual, and environmental stimulation is a standard preventative measure to decrease neurological irritability.
• Give antihypertensive medication: Severe hypertension must be promptly treated to prevent complications like stroke, placental abruption, and progression to eclampsia. Administering antihypertensive therapy helps stabilize maternal blood pressure and protects both maternal and fetal health.
• Maintain bedrest: Bedrest helps reduce blood pressure and physical stress, promoting better perfusion to the placenta. Although strict bedrest is controversial long-term, short-term bedrest is often used in severe preeclampsia management while stabilization measures are implemented.