A client with psoriasis returns to the clinic reporting the persistence of several silvery, scaly areas on the elbows and palms that frequently burn and sometimes bleed.

Which prescription should the nurse teach the client to use for the skin condition?

Drinking plenty of water whenever thirsty is not the most appropriate action for a patient with hypernatremia. While it's important to stay hydrated, excessive water intake can potentially worsen hypernatremia by diluting blood sodium levels further. This is because the body tries to balance sodium levels by either retaining water or excreting it through urine. In hypernatremia, the body is already short on water relative to sodium, so consuming too much water can exacerbate the imbalance.

Choice B rationale:

Reviewing food labels for sodium content is crucial for managing hypernatremia. It empowers patients to make informed choices and limit their sodium intake.

Sodium is a major contributor to hypernatremia, and reducing dietary sodium intake is a key strategy to lower blood sodium levels.

By carefully reading food labels and selecting low-sodium options, patients can effectively manage their sodium intake and promote a gradual return to normal sodium levels.

This approach addresses the root cause of hypernatremia and promotes long-term control of blood sodium levels.

Choice C rationale:

Monitoring daily urine output volume can be helpful in tracking fluid status, but it's not the primary action for managing hypernatremia.

While urine output can provide insights into fluid balance, it doesn't directly address the underlying issue of excessive sodium. Focusing on dietary sodium intake is a more direct and effective approach to correcting hypernatremia.

Choice D rationale:

Using salt tablets after strenuous exercise is not recommended for patients with hypernatremia.

Salt tablets are intended to replenish electrolytes lost through sweating, but they can worsen hypernatremia by further increasing sodium levels.

Patients with hypernatremia should focus on reducing sodium intake, not increasing it.

Choice A rationale:

Amber urine can be a sign of dehydration, but it is not specific to cholelithiasis with a gallstone lodged in the common bile duct.

While it's important to monitor hydration status in patients with nausea and vomiting, amber urine alone would not be the most urgent finding to report to the healthcare provider in this context.

Choice B rationale:

Belching is a common symptom of gastrointestinal disorders, but it is not specific to cholelithiasis with a gallstone obstruction. It can be caused by various factors, such as swallowing air, eating too quickly, or drinking carbonated beverages.

While belching might be a symptom the nurse documents, it would not be the most concerning finding to report immediately.

Choice C rationale:

Flatulence is another common gastrointestinal symptom that can have various causes, including dietary choices, bacterial fermentation in the intestines, and certain medications.

It is not specific to cholelithiasis with a gallstone obstruction and would not be the most relevant finding to prioritize reporting.

Choice D rationale:

Yellow sclera, also known as jaundice, is a significant finding that strongly suggests cholestasis, which is the obstruction of bile flow.

Bile, a fluid produced by the liver, aids in digestion and gives stool its brownish color.

When bile flow is obstructed, as in the case of a gallstone lodged in the common bile duct, bilirubin (a component of bile) builds up in the bloodstream and tissues, leading to yellowing of the skin and sclera (the whites of the eyes).

This is a crucial finding to report to the healthcare provider because it indicates a worsening of the patient's condition and the need for prompt intervention to address the obstruction.