The nurse is evaluating the fluid balance of a client who was admitted yesterday with dehydration and who has been receiving IV fluids since admission. An increase in which parameter indicates to the nurse that the client is rehydrating?

Choice A reason: This is the correct action as it prevents the risk of spillage, scalding, or infection. The basin of water should not be placed on the bed, but on a bedside table or stand. The nurse should also check the temperature of the water and the condition of the client's foot.

Choice B reason: This is an incorrect action as it may cause irritation or allergic reaction. The skin cream should not be added to the basin of water, but applied after the foot is dried and inspected. The nurse should also verify the type and amount of skin cream to be used.

Choice C reason: This is an important action, but not the priority. The UAP should dry between the client's toes completely to prevent fungal growth or maceration. The nurse should also monitor the UAP's technique and provide feedback.

Choice D reason: This is an inaccurate statement. The procedure of soaking the client's foot in a basin of warm water is not damaging to the skin, if done properly and safely. The nurse should explain the rationale and benefits of the procedure to the UAP.

Choice A reason: Continuing the blood pressure assessment until the last Korotkoff sound is heard is not the best action to implement next. It may result in an inaccurate measurement of the diastolic pressure, as the cuff pressure may be too low to detect the sound.

Choice B reason: Repositioning the stethoscope in the antecubital fossa over the palpable brachial pulse point is not a necessary action to implement next. It may not affect the accuracy of the blood pressure measurement, as the nurse already hears the Korotkoff sounds clearly.

Choice C reason: Inflating the cuff quickly to a higher mm Hg reading than the previously auscultated systolic sound is not a safe action to implement next. It may cause discomfort and injury to the client, as the cuff pressure may be too high and occlude the blood flow.

Choice D reason: Releasing the air and reinflating the cuff to 30 mm Hg above the client's previous systolic reading is the best action to implement next. It helps to avoid the auscultatory gap, which is a period of silence between the systolic and diastolic pressures. It also ensures that the cuff pressure is high enough to detect the true systolic and diastolic pressures.