The nurse is providing discharge instructions for a slightly overweight client seen in the Emergency Department with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Which instruction should the nurse give for management of this disease process?

Choice A reason: Half-normal saline solution is a hypotonic solution, which means it has a lower concentration of solutes than the blood plasma. It can cause fluid to shift from the blood vessels into the cells, leading to cellular swelling and edema.

Choice B reason: 10% dextrose in water is a hypertonic solution, which means it has a higher concentration of solutes than the blood plasma. It can cause fluid to shift from the cells into the blood vessels, leading to cellular shrinkage and dehydration.

Choice C reason: 5% dextrose and half-normal saline solution is a hypertonic solution, which has the same effects as choice B. The dextrose increases the osmolarity of the solution, while the half-normal saline provides some electrolytes.

Choice D reason: Lactated Ringer's solution is an isotonic solution, which means it has the same concentration of solutes as the blood plasma. It maintains fluid balance and provides electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and lactate. It is commonly used for fluid resuscitation, dehydration, and acidosis.

Choice A reason: Calling the doctor for more antiemetic medication is not the best intervention for the nurse to facilitate. Antiemetics are drugs that prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting, but they may have side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, or constipation. The nurse should first try non-pharmacological measures to relieve the patient's nausea, such as giving small sips of water, providing a cool and quiet environment, or using aromatherapy.

Choice B reason: Giving the patient small sips of tepid water is the best intervention for the nurse to facilitate. Water can help hydrate the patient and dilute any stomach acid that may cause irritation. Tepid water is water that is slightly warm, which can be more soothing than cold or hot water. Small sips can prevent the patient from swallowing too much air, which can worsen nausea and vomiting.

Choice C reason: Helping the patient lay supine is not a good intervention for the nurse to facilitate. Supine means lying flat on the back, which can increase the risk of aspiration, or inhaling food or fluids into the lungs. Aspiration can cause pneumonia, a serious lung infection. The nurse should help the patient lay on their side, with their head elevated, to prevent aspiration and reduce pressure on the stomach.

Choice D reason: Showing the patient how to use the patient-controlled analgesia is not a relevant intervention for the nurse to facilitate. Patient-controlled analgesia is a system that allows the patient to self-administer pain medication through an IV pump. It has nothing to do with nausea and vomiting, and may even cause them as side effects. The nurse should monitor the patient's pain level and adjust the analgesia settings as needed, but not as a way to treat nausea.