The healthcare provider prescribes the antibiotic cefdinir 300 mg by mouth every 12 hours for a client with a postoperative wound infection.
Which foods should the nurse encourage this client to eat?

The correct answer is Choice B.

Choice A rationale: While notifying the charge nurse about the client’s condition is important, it is not the most critical action. The charge nurse’s role would be to coordinate care and ensure appropriate resources are available, but the immediate safety and well-being of the client and others in the facility is the priority. Therefore, this choice is not the most important action for the nurse to take.

Choice B rationale: Instituting droplet precautions, placing the client in a private room, and keeping the door closed is the most important action. COVID-19 is primarily spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. It can also be spread by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes. Therefore, it is crucial to implement droplet precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. This includes wearing a mask, eye protection, and a gown and gloves when caring for the client. The client should also be placed in a private room with the door closed to further prevent the spread of the virus.

Choice C rationale: While it is important for the client to inform others that they may have been potentially exposed, this is not the most critical action. The priority is to prevent the spread of the virus within the healthcare facility. Once the client is appropriately isolated and precautions are in place, the client can be educated and assisted with notifying others about potential exposure.

Choice D rationale: Placing the nasal swab specimen for COVID-19 directly into a biohazard bag is a standard procedure when collecting specimens for testing. However, this action does not address the immediate need to prevent the spread of the virus within the healthcare facility. Therefore, this choice is not the most important action for the nurse to take.

Stomatitis refers to the inflammation of the mouth and oral mucosa, which can cause pain and difficulty swallowing. In the context of a client receiving chemotherapy, stomatitis is a common side effect that can occur due to the effects of chemotherapy on rapidly dividing cells, including those in the oral cavity. When a client develops stomatitis, it is important for the practical nurse (PN) to obtain information about the client's ability to swallow during a focused assessment. This is because stomatitis can significantly impact a client's ability to eat and drink comfortably, which can lead to dehydration and malnutrition. Assessing the client's ability to swallow helps determine the extent of the issue and guides appropriate interventions and support.

Let's briefly evaluate the other options:

a) Urinary output.
Urinary output is not directly related to stomatitis. Stomatitis primarily affects the oral cavity, and its impact on urinary output is minimal or nonexistent. While monitoring urinary output is important for assessing hydration status, it is not the priority in this situation.

c) Frequency of bowel movements.
The frequency of bowel movements is unrelated to stomatitis. Stomatitis primarily affects the mouth, and its presence does not directly influence bowel movements. Assessing bowel movements may be relevant for other concerns, but it is not specifically related to stomatitis.

d) Blood pressure while standing.
Blood pressure while standing, also known as orthostatic blood pressure, is not directly relevant to stomatitis. Stomatitis primarily affects the oral cavity and does not typically have a direct impact on blood pressure. Assessing blood pressure while standing may be appropriate for other health concerns, such as orthostatic hypotension, but it is not the priority in this situation.

In summary, when a client receiving chemotherapy develops stomatitis, the practical nurse should focus on assessing the client's ability to swallow as it directly relates to the impact of stomatitis on the client's nutrition and hydration.