A nurse prepares an educational session on the importance of oral hygiene. Which teaching tip should be included in the section about preventing gingivitis?

Choice a reason:
Draping body areas that are not being assessed is important for maintaining the client's privacy and comfort, but it is not the highest priority when dealing with a client with generalized muscle weakness. The primary concern is to prevent further strain or injury during the examination.

Choice b reason:
Limiting position changes as much as possible is the priority when examining a client with generalized muscle weakness. Frequent or unnecessary movements can cause fatigue, discomfort, and may even be unsafe if the client has severely compromised muscle strength. The nurse should plan the examination to minimize the number of times the client needs to change positions.

Choice c reason:
Hand-washing throughout the exam is a standard practice to prevent the spread of infection. While it is crucial for both the client's and the nurse's safety, in the context of a client with generalized muscle weakness, the priority is to conduct the exam in a way that does not exacerbate the client's condition.

Choice d reason:
Using alcohol swabs to clean the stethoscope before and after the exam is also a standard infection control practice. However, it is not the most immediate concern when prioritizing the steps of a physical examination for a client with muscle weakness.

Choice a reason:
A client recently diagnosed with a chronic illness would require a comprehensive health history that includes past medical history, medications, and lifestyle factors. While important, it is not typically categorized as an emergency health history unless the chronic condition has acutely worsened.

Choice b reason:
A client presenting with hypotension (low blood pressure), tachycardia (rapid heart rate), an oxygen saturation of 85% (indicating potential hypoxemia), and a recent gunshot wound is experiencing a life-threatening situation that requires immediate medical attention. An Emergency health history is crucial in this scenario to quickly gather information that will guide urgent treatment decisions.

Choice c reason:
A client who has just confirmed pregnancy would need a detailed health history, including obstetric and gynecological history, but this is not considered an emergency unless there are complications or concerns that require immediate attention.

Choice d reason:
A client who frequently visits the hospital reporting the same symptom may indicate a chronic issue that needs ongoing management rather than an emergency. However, if the symptom suggests an acute exacerbation or a new, serious condition, it could escalate to an emergency.