The newly admitted client has contractures of both lower extremities. What nursing intervention should be included in this client's plan of care?

C. This is the priority intervention because clients in protective isolation have compromised immune systems and are at high risk of infection. Upper respiratory infections can be transmitted easily through respiratory droplets, posing a significant risk to the client. Restricting visitors with such infections helps minimize the risk of introducing pathogens into the client's environment.

A. While maintaining cleanliness is important in any healthcare setting, changing bed linens daily may not be the highest priority in protective environment isolation unless there is a specific indication (e.g., soiled linens, contamination). It is essential to minimize unnecessary contact and potential sources of infection, but this is not the priority in the given context.

B. Hydration is important for all clients, but the frequency of providing fresh drinking water every four hours is generally a routine nursing care measure. Unless there are specific medical orders or client needs, this action is not directly related to the specialized care required in protective environment isolation.

D. Monitoring intake and output is important for assessing fluid balance and kidney function in hospitalized clients. However, in the context of protective isolation, where infection control is paramount, restricting visitors who pose a potential infectious risk takes precedence over routine monitoring tasks.

C. Delirium is often reversible once the underlying cause is identified and treated (e.g., correcting electrolyte imbalances, managing infections, discontinuing medications contributing to delirium). With appropriate intervention, the mental status can improve, and the individual can return to their baseline cognitive function.

A. Dementia, on the other hand, is a chronic, progressive syndrome that primarily affects memory, thinking, behavior, and the ability to perform everyday activities. It does not typically cause acute changes in consciousness.

B. Memory impairment is a hallmark feature of dementia, especially in the early stages. In contrast, delirium primarily affects attention, awareness, and cognition acutely, with memory impairment being variable and not a defining feature.

D. Delirium develops rapidly, often over hours to days, in response to an acute medical condition, medication change, or other factors. It is characterized by a fluctuating course and can resolve once the underlying cause is managed.