An older client with colorectal carcinoma receives a colostomy following a bowel resection and the nurse is reviewing written instructions about colostomy care that the client will take home after discharge. Which action should the nurse include when reviewing the instructions with the client?

A. While the use of absorbent undergarments is relevant to managing urinary incontinence, having them dry for 6 hours indicates that they are performing their function well in terms of absorbing urine. This finding does not immediately suggest a new issue that needs urgent further assessment.
B. A heel dressing saturated with serous drainage suggests that the stage II pressure ulcer on the left heel is producing a significant amount of fluid. Serous drainage is typically clear or light yellow and can indicate a wound that is still in the inflammatory phase of healing
C. Frequent requests for sleep medication can indicate issues with sleep patterns or underlying psychological stress. While it’s important to address sleep difficulties, this finding might not be as immediately critical as other concerns but warrants further assessment to address possible underlying causes and manage sleep issues appropriately.
D. Confusion about time, place, and environment in a newly admitted client is a significant finding and requires urgent further assessment. This level of confusion could be indicative of a serious issue such as delirium, which can be caused by various factors including infection, dehydration, metabolic imbalances, or a sudden change in environment.

A. Debriding agents are used to remove necrotic or non-viable tissue from a wound. While debridement can be necessary if there is evidence of necrotic tissue or eschar, the presence of thick tan exudate alone does not necessarily indicate that debridement is needed.
B. Steri-strips are used to support wound closure and can be applied to wounds with approximated edges. However, in the case of a wound healing by secondary intention (where the edges are not brought together but heal from the inside out), steri-strips are not typically used. This action is not relevant if the wound is healing by secondary intention and if there is a thick exudate present.
C. Obtaining a wound culture is important if there is a suspicion of infection, especially if there is a change in the character of the exudate, increased redness, swelling, or other signs of infection. A thick tan exudate might be indicative of an infection or could be a normal part of the healing process
D. Removing sutures in a wound that is healing by secondary intention is not appropriate as it could disrupt the healing process and potentially lead to complications. Sutures are typically removed when the wound is healing by primary intention and the edges are approximated.