The charge nurse is planning for the shift and has a registered nurse (RN) and a practical nurse (PN) on the team. Which client should the charge nurse assign to the RN?

Choice A: Recommending the use of support stockings to enhance venous return is not a priority intervention for the nurse, as this does not address the underlying cause of the peripheral edema, which is fluid overload due to inadequate dialysis. This is a distractor choice.

Choice B: Ensuring the client receives frequent small meals containing complete proteins is a priority intervention for the nurse, as this can help improve the client's nutritional status and increase their serum albumin level, which can reduce fluid leakage into the interstitial spaces and decrease edema. Therefore, this is the correct choice.

Choice C: Evaluating patency of the AV graft for resumption of hemodialysis is not a priority intervention for the nurse, as this is not feasible at this point since the AV graft is no longer available to use. This is another distractor choice.

Choice D: Instructing the client to continue to follow the prescribed rigid fluid restriction amounts is not a priority intervention for the nurse, as this does not address the root problem of inadequate dialysis and low serum albumin level, which are contributing to fluid overload and edema. This is another distractor choice.

Choice A: An adolescent with multiple contusions due to a fall that occurred 2 days ago is not a client that the charge nurse should assign to the RN, as this is a stable and low-acuity client who can be safely cared for by the PN. This is a distractor choice.

Choice B: A 75-year-old client with renal calculi who requires urine straining is not a client that the charge nurse should assign to the RN, as this is a routine and non-complex task that can be performed by the PN. This is another distractor choice.

Choice C: A 30-year-old depressed client who admits to suicide ideation is a client that the charge nurse should assign to the RN, as this is an unstable and high-risk client who requires close monitoring, assessment, and intervention by the RN. Therefore, this is the correct choice.

Choice D: A 64-year-old client who had a total hip replacement the previous day is not a client that the charge nurse should assign to the RN, as this is a postoperative and moderate-acuity client who can be managed by the PN under the supervision of the RN. This is another distractor choice.