The practical nurse (PN) views the mid-line episiotomy of a client who reports pain in her stitches. Which action should the PN take first?

A. Place the drink where the client can reach from her bed
Placing the drink where the client can easily reach it encourages regular fluid intake. Accessibility is key for clients who may be feeling weak or fatigued, especially when dealing with symptoms of illness like fever and cough. Ensuring that fluids are within reach minimizes barriers to drinking and supports better hydration efforts.
B. Encourage drinks with high sugar content
Drinks with high sugar content are not ideal for promoting adequate fluid intake. High sugar content can worsen symptoms like nausea or dehydration and may lead to increased thirst or gastrointestinal upset, which is counterproductive to encouraging fluid intake. Offering fluids with balanced electrolytes and moderate sugar content is more beneficial.
C. Only offer water or other clear drink
Offering only water or clear drinks can be too restrictive and may not meet the client's preferences or needs. While clear liquids are appropriate, incorporating a variety of fluids can improve hydration and patient satisfaction. It is beneficial to offer options that the client might find appealing.
D. Ask the client what her favorite drink is
Asking the client for her favorite drink engages her in the decision-making process and increases the likelihood of her consuming more fluids. Personal preferences can significantly affect fluid intake, and offering drinks she likes can help in achieving adequate hydration.
E. Offer both hot and cold drinks
Offering both hot and cold drinks can cater to the client’s preferences and provide comfort, which may encourage her to drink more fluids. Variety in temperature can make drinking fluids more appealing, especially if the client is feeling unwell or has specific preferences.
F. Suggest popular drinks like coffee or soda
Suggesting coffee or soda is not recommended due to their diuretic effects and potential for dehydration. Coffee and soda can also interfere with electrolyte balance and are generally not suitable for hydration in a clinical setting where the goal is to address fluid volume deficit

Applicable
Evaluating functional improvement assesses whether the additional physical and occupational therapy is effectively enhancing the client’s ability to perform activities of daily living and participate in community activities. This focuses on tangible outcomes of the therapy, such as improved mobility or independence. Measuring functional improvement helps to determine if the interventions are meeting their goals and positively impacting the client's physical abilities.

Psychological assessment
Not Applicable
While important, psychological assessment is not the primary focus when evaluating the specific outcomes of physical and occupational therapy. Psychological well-being might be a component of overall care but is not the immediate measure for the success of the physical therapies established. The main goal here is to assess the effectiveness of the physical and occupational therapy, which is more directly measured by functional and quality of life improvements.

Quality of life
Applicable
Assessing quality of life evaluates how well the client’s overall well-being is supported by the new care interventions, including their physical comfort, mental health, and ability to engage in daily activities. This broader measure considers whether the care provided enhances the client's satisfaction with their daily life and personal experiences, reflecting the success of the implemented therapies.

Financial security
Not Applicable
Financial security is not directly related to evaluating the outcomes of physical and occupational therapy interventions. It is important for overall care management but does not measure the effectiveness of specific therapies or the impact on the client’s physical functioning or quality of life. This factor is outside the scope of assessing the direct results of therapy and daily living support.

Cognitive status
Not Applicable
Cognitive status is not the main focus for evaluating the success of physical and occupational therapy. While cognitive status is relevant for overall care, the immediate goal of assessing the effectiveness of the physical therapies is to see improvements in functional abilities and quality of life. Cognitive assessments are important but not directly related to the specific goals of physical and occupational therapy outcomes