Before leaving the room of a client who is confused, the nurse observes that a half bow knot was used to attach the client's wrist restraints to the movable portion of the client's bed frame. Which action should the nurse take before leaving the room?

Rationale for correct choices:

• Infection: The client presents with redness, warmth, swelling, and pain in the left lower leg, accompanied by a small cut and a history of type 2 diabetes. These findings, along with elevated temperature and glucose, indicate a bacterial skin infection requiring prompt treatment with antibiotics to prevent progression.

• Sepsis: Older adults with diabetes and chronic comorbidities are at high risk for systemic infection. The client’s generalized muscle aches, fever, and elevated glucose may indicate early systemic involvement. Interventions to prevent sepsis, such as timely IV antibiotics, monitoring vital signs, and laboratory markers (e.g., WBC, lactate), are crucial to reduce life-threatening complications.

Rationale for incorrect choices:

• Congestive heart failure: While the client has a history of heart failure, the acute presentation of erythema, warmth, and localized swelling suggests infection rather than fluid overload as the priority concern. CHF management is important but secondary in this scenario.

• Kidney disease: Stage 3a chronic kidney disease is a chronic condition and does not explain the acute signs of infection. Monitoring kidney function is important for medication dosing, but it is not the immediate priority.

• Hyperglycemia: The client’s blood glucose is elevated at 252 mg/dL, likely worsened by stress and infection. Hyperglycemia requires monitoring and management, but the underlying infection poses a more immediate threat to health.

• Deep vein thrombosis: DVT can cause leg swelling and pain, but the presence of erythema, warmth, and a break in the skin indicates cellulitis rather than thrombus formation. DVT prevention may be part of ongoing care but is not the priority in this acute presentation.

• Peripheral neuropathy: The client has baseline neuropathy contributing to bilateral leg discomfort, but it does not explain the acute swelling, redness, and warmth. Pain management may be necessary, but infection treatment is urgent.

• Edema: Edema is a symptom present in several chronic conditions, including CHF and PVD, but in this case, localized edema is part of the infection process. Addressing the infection takes priority over general edema management.

A. Fever greater than 101.5° F (38.6° C): Fever may indicate infection, such as meningitis or shunt infection, but it is not a primary sign of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in infants.

B. Decreased urinary output: Oliguria is not a typical early sign of increased ICP. While it can occur with severe systemic compromise, it is not a direct indicator of ICP changes.

C. Sunsetting eyes: The “sunsetting” sign, where the eyes appear driven downward with the sclera visible above the iris, is a classic indicator of increased ICP in infants due to hydrocephalus and should be closely monitored.

D. Bulging anterior fontanel: A bulging anterior fontanel reflects increased pressure within the cranial vault and is a key early sign of increased ICP in infants.

E. Jugular venous distension: Jugular venous distension is more indicative of cardiac or fluid overload issues rather than increased ICP in infants.