The practical nurse (PN) is providing instructions to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) preparing to give a total bed bath to an immobile client who has a continuous feeding via gastrostomy tube (GT).

Which instruction is most important for the PN to emphasize?

Choice A rationale:

"Instruct the client to take a brisk walk." Rationale: This action is not appropriate for a pregnant client experiencing dizziness, a racing heart, and pallor while lying on their back. It may exacerbate their symptoms and is not recommended.

Choice B rationale:

"Position the client on their left side." Rationale: This is the correct action to take. The client's symptoms, such as dizziness, racing heart, and pallor, suggest that they may be experiencing supine hypotensive syndrome, a common issue in pregnancy. Placing the client on their left side helps relieve pressure on the inferior vena cava, improving blood flow to the fetus and reducing symptoms.

Choice C rationale:

"Check the client's temperature." Rationale: Checking the client's temperature is not the most relevant action to address the reported symptoms. Dizziness, racing heart, and pallor are not typically associated with fever.

Choice D rationale:

"Provide the client with a glass of orange juice." Rationale: While providing orange juice can be helpful in some cases of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), it is not the primary intervention for a pregnant client with the reported symptoms. These symptoms are more indicative of supine hypotensive syndrome, and the priority is to change the client's position to alleviate the condition.

Choice A rationale:

Relocating the sensor every 8 hours is not necessary when obtaining oxygen saturation readings unless there is a specific clinical reason to do so, such as skin irritation or poor perfusion at the sensor site. Frequent relocation can cause unnecessary disruption for the patient.

Choice B rationale:

Waiting 10 seconds after placing the probe before obtaining the oxygen saturation reading is not required. Modern pulse oximeters provide real-time readings, and there is no need to wait after placing the probe. The reading is usually stable within seconds.

Choice C rationale:

Choosing a finger with a capillary refill time of less than 2 seconds is an essential consideration when obtaining oxygen saturation readings. Capillary refill time is a measure of peripheral perfusion, and choosing a finger with good perfusion ensures accurate oxygen saturation measurements.

Choice D rationale:

Placing the sensor probe on the same extremity as an electronic blood pressure cuff is generally acceptable. However, it is crucial to ensure that the sensor does not interfere with the blood pressure cuff's function and that it is securely attached to the patient's finger for accurate readings.