The nurse identifies several nursing problems for a client with paraplegia who has been having fecal incontinence and diarrhea. The client's parent is the primary caregiver. In planning care, the nurse should determine which problem is the highest priority?

Potential Conditions

Overflow urinary incontinence

This is the correct choice because overflow urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine due to a distended bladder that cannot empty completely. The client has cerebral palsy, which can affect the bladder muscles and nerves, causing them to lose coordination and contractility. The client is also non-verbal and has severe intellectual disability, which can impair his ability to sense or communicate the need to void. The client's clothes and sheets are wet, indicating that he has leaked urine. The client voided approximately 75 mL of urine, which is a small amount for an adult male. These signs suggest that the client has overflow urinary incontinence.

Actions to Take

Provide skin care

This is a correct choice because the nurse should provide skin care to the client who has overflow urinary incontinence. The nurse should cleanse the perineal area with mild soap and water, pat dry, and apply a barrier cream or ointment to protect the skin from moisture and irritation. The nurse should also change the client's clothes and sheets as needed to keep him dry and comfortable.

Place an incontinence containment product under the client

This is a correct choice because the nurse should place an incontinence containment product under the client who has overflow urinary incontinence. An incontinence containment product is a device or material that absorbs or collects urine, such as a diaper, pad, or catheter. The nurse should choose an appropriate product based on the client's preferences, needs, and abilities. The nurse should also monitor the product for leakage, odor, or infection, and change it regularly.

Parameters to Monitor

Intake and output

This is a correct choice because the nurse should monitor the intake and output of the client who has overflow urinary incontinence. The nurse should measure and record the amount and type of fluids that the client consumes and excretes. The nurse should also note the color, clarity, odor, and specific gravity of the urine. The nurse should compare the intake and output with the normal ranges for the client's age, weight, and condition. The nurse should report any abnormal findings or changes to the health care provider.

Post-void residual

This is a correct choice because the nurse should monitor the post-void residual of the client who has overflow urinary incontinence. Post-void residual is the amount of urine left in the bladder after voiding. The nurse can measure it by using a bladder scanner or inserting a catheter after the client voids. A normal post-void residual is less than 50 mL for an adult male. A high post-void residual indicates that the bladder is not emptying completely, which can lead to overflow urinary incontinence. The nurse should report any high post-void residual to the health care provider.

Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because explaining that alternative treatment options may be helpful can be insensitive and unrealistic, as it may raise false hopes or imply that the husband's condition is not serious.

Choice B Reason: This is correct because encouraging the wife to share her feelings can help her cope with her grief and express her emotions in a supportive environment. The nurse should use active listening and empathic responses.

Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because offering reassurance that she is not alone can be dismissive and invalidating, as it may minimize her feelings or imply that she should not feel lonely.

Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because reminding her that her husband may still live a long time can be dishonest and inappropriate, as it may contradict the medical prognosis or imply that she should not prepare for his death.