The client is a 27-year-old male who had an exploratory laparotomy 8 days ago following a gunshot wound to the abdomen. The surgeons evacuated a large amount of blood in the peritoneum and repaired a liver laceration. The client was in the intensive care unit (ICU) for 4 days and in the surgical floor for 4 days. He started a regular diet 3 days ago but is now refusing to eat and has had several episodes of vomiting in the past 3 hours. Which action should the nurse take?

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.

Choice A reason: Monitoring urine output assesses fluid status but does not directly prevent hypernatremia, which results from excess sodium or water loss. Reducing dietary sodium intake is more proactive, as urine output is a secondary indicator, making this instruction less effective for management.

Choice B reason: Using salt tablets after exercise is dangerous, as they increase sodium intake, worsening hypernatremia. This condition requires sodium reduction and water replacement, making this instruction harmful, as it exacerbates elevated serum sodium levels, risking neurological complications.

Choice C reason: Reviewing food labels for sodium content is critical, as hypernatremia results from high sodium intake or water loss. Limiting dietary sodium prevents further elevation of serum sodium, protecting against cerebral edema or seizures, making this the most effective discharge instruction.

Choice D reason: Drinking water when thirsty helps hydration but is reactive and insufficient for hypernatremia, which requires proactive sodium reduction. Thirst may be impaired in some patients, and dietary sodium control is more direct, making this instruction less comprehensive than label review.