The nurse is caring for a client who is diagnosed with an arterial insufficiency ulcer. The nurse should plan interventions to address which priority issue?

A. Inadequate immobilization: Proper immobilization is essential for fractured bones to heal correctly. Immobilization, often achieved through casts, splints, or other orthopedic devices, stabilizes the broken bone fragments, allowing them to fuse back together. If the immobilization is not sufficient or if the patient doesn't follow the prescribed immobilization protocol, there can be excessive movement at the fracture site, hindering the healing process.

B. Venous thromboembolism: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) refers to the formation of blood clots in veins, usually in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) that can travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism). While VTE is a potential complication after a fracture, it is not a direct cause of delayed bone union.

C. Inadequate vitamin D intake: Vitamin D is essential for bone health as it helps the body absorb calcium, which is crucial for bone formation and maintenance. Inadequate vitamin D levels can weaken bones and impair the healing process, but it's not a common cause of delayed bone union unless there are severe deficiencies or underlying medical conditions.

D. Bleeding at the injury site: Bleeding at the injury site occurs immediately after the fracture and is a natural part of the body's response to injury. While excessive bleeding can lead to complications, it is not a likely cause of delayed bone union six weeks after the injury. In the early stages of healing, bleeding is replaced by the formation of a hematoma, which eventually transforms into a callus and aids in the bone healing process.

A. "Pyelonephritis increases a person's risk for kidney damage." - Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection of the renal parenchyma and renal pelvis, typically caused by the ascent of bacteria from the lower urinary tract into the kidneys. If left untreated, it can lead to kidney damage, including scarring of the renal tissue and impaired kidney function.

B. "Pyelonephritis is an infection of the lower urinary tract." - This statement is incorrect. Pyelonephritis specifically involves the upper urinary tract, affecting the kidneys. In contrast, infections of the lower urinary tract (such as cystitis) affect the bladder and urethra.

C. "Pyelonephritis often causes no symptoms in affected clients." - This statement is incorrect. Pyelonephritis typically presents with symptoms such as fever, chills, flank pain, painful urination (dysuria), and frequent urination. Clients with pyelonephritis usually experience noticeable symptoms.

D. "Pyelonephritis is most often caused by Staphylococcus saprophyticus." - This statement is incorrect. While Staphylococcus saprophyticus is a common cause of urinary tract infections, pyelonephritis is more commonly caused by gram-negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, which often ascend from the lower urinary tract into the kidneys.