An older adult female client is hospitalized with a fractured femur. During a routine nursing assessment, she repeatedly asks the nurse to “speak up” so that she can hear the questions. Which action is best for the nurse to take?

Choice A reason: Avoiding gluten is specific to celiac disease, not Crohn’s, which involves inflammatory bowel disease without gluten sensitivity. Gluten restriction does not address Crohn’s mucosal inflammation, and this instruction misguides the client, as dietary triggers vary, requiring individualized management.

Choice B reason: Restricting fluids is incorrect, as Crohn’s patients need adequate hydration to manage diarrhea and prevent dehydration. Fluid restriction exacerbates electrolyte imbalances, worsening symptoms, making this an inappropriate recommendation for Crohn’s dietary management, which focuses on symptom-specific adjustments.

Choice C reason: Limiting calcium and iron is not standard for Crohn’s, as these nutrients support bone health and anemia prevention, common concerns in inflammatory bowel disease. This restriction could worsen deficiencies without addressing inflammation, making it an incorrect dietary focus for Crohn’s.

Choice D reason: Recommending a personalized diet plan with a dietitian is correct, as Crohn’s dietary triggers vary, requiring tailored plans to avoid exacerbating inflammation. Dietitians identify specific irritants, like high-fiber foods, ensuring nutritional balance while minimizing symptoms, making this the best approach for effective management.

Choice A reason: Sleeping flat supine is incorrect, as elevating the head post-cataract surgery prevents intraocular pressure spikes, which can disrupt the lens implant. Supine positioning risks fluid accumulation, potentially causing complications like hemorrhage, making this instruction inappropriate for recovery.

Choice B reason: Administering a stool softener is correct, as straining during bowel movements increases intraocular pressure, risking surgical site complications post-cataract extraction. Soft stools reduce Valsalva maneuver effects, protecting the lens implant and promoting healing, making this a key discharge instruction.

Choice C reason: Turning, coughing, and deep breathing prevent pulmonary complications in major surgeries, not cataract extraction, a minor procedure. These actions may increase intraocular pressure, risking implant displacement, making this instruction irrelevant and potentially harmful for eye surgery recovery.

Choice D reason: Observing pupil response of the right eye is irrelevant, as the surgery affects the left eye. Pupil response monitoring is not a standard post-cataract instruction, and patients cannot self-assess this, making it impractical and unrelated to surgical recovery needs.