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Washes their hands for 10 seconds: Hand hygiene requires scrubbing for at least 15 to 20 seconds to effectively remove microbes and debris. Ten seconds is insufficient to ensure proper cleansing and can increase the risk of pathogen transmission.

Turns off the faucet with their hands: Turning off the faucet with bare hands can reintroduce microbes that were just washed off. The faucet should be turned off with a clean paper towel or elbow to maintain proper aseptic technique and prevent cross-contamination.

Uses hot water to wash their hands: Hot water can irritate or damage the skin, leading to dryness and cracks, which increase infection risk. Warm water is recommended because it is effective for lathering soap while protecting the integrity of the skin barrier.

Hyperactive bowel sounds: Hypokalemia leads to decreased gastrointestinal motility, which causes hypoactive or absent bowel sounds rather than hyperactive ones. Hyperactive bowel sounds are more commonly associated with diarrhea or early stages of gastrointestinal upset.

Extreme thirst: Extreme thirst is more characteristic of conditions like hypernatremia or uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. While dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea may cause some thirst, it is not a primary finding of hypokalemia itself.

Hyperactive reflexes: Hypokalemia is associated with muscle weakness, cramps, and diminished reflexes rather than hyperactivity. Low potassium disrupts neuromuscular transmission, resulting in slowed responses and muscle fatigue.

Hypothermia: Diarrhea usually causes fluid and electrolyte loss but does not directly result in hypothermia. More commonly, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances occur, while temperature changes are related to infection or other systemic causes.

Rigid abdomen: A rigid abdomen is often associated with peritonitis or acute abdominal emergencies, not uncomplicated diarrhea. Diarrhea generally causes cramping, urgency, and loose stools without producing abdominal rigidity.

Decreased bowel sounds: Diarrhea is caused by increased intestinal motility, so bowel sounds are typically hyperactive rather than decreased. Hypoactive or absent bowel sounds are seen more often with conditions like ileus or severe hypokalemia.

Xerostomia: Dry mouth is not a typical manifestation of acetaminophen poisoning. It is more often associated with medication side effects such as anticholinergics or dehydration, rather than liver toxicity from acetaminophen overdose.

Constipation: Constipation does not commonly result from acetaminophen toxicity. Instead, gastrointestinal upset such as nausea, anorexia, and vomiting are more likely due to impaired liver function and toxin buildup.

Tinnitus: Tinnitus is more commonly associated with salicylate (aspirin) toxicity. Acetaminophen overdose does not typically cause auditory disturbances but instead presents with gastrointestinal and hepatic symptoms.

Blood-tinged urine: While mild trauma can occasionally cause slight hematuria, blood-tinged urine is not an expected outcome. Persistent or visible blood suggests possible urethral injury or infection and would require provider notification.

Urinary frequency for several days: Frequency is not typical after short-term catheter use. Instead, frequency may indicate bladder irritation, infection, or other underlying urinary tract pathology rather than being an expected outcome.

Highly concentrated urine: Urine concentration depends on hydration status, not catheter removal. Concentrated urine may signal dehydration but is not directly related to the removal of an indwelling catheter.

Sanguineous: Sanguineous drainage is primarily composed of blood, making it thicker and bright red. It usually indicates active bleeding and would not appear watery in consistency.

Serous: Serous drainage is clear or slightly yellow and watery, resembling plasma. It does not contain red blood cells, so it would not appear red or pink.

Purulent: Purulent drainage is thick, opaque, and often green, yellow, or brown due to infection and the presence of white blood cells, bacteria, and cellular debris not watery red drainage.

"Tilt your head toward your chest.": Tilting the head down places strain on the neck and upper spine, increasing the risk of musculoskeletal injury. Proper body mechanics require keeping the head aligned with the spine and facing forward.

"Keep your knees straight.": Keeping the knees locked creates excessive pressure on the back during lifting or transferring clients. Proper posture involves bending the knees slightly to use the leg muscles for support rather than straining the lower back.

"Loosen your abdominal muscles.": Abdominal muscles should be engaged, not loosened, when lifting or transferring. Tightening the core provides stability and helps protect the spine from injury by distributing the workload more evenly.

Ask the patient to share the teaching with a neighbor or friend soon after discharge: While social support can reinforce learning, relying on a neighbor or friend may not guarantee medication adherence. This does not directly address the patient’s forgetfulness or simplify the regimen.

Give the patient detailed written information about each drug: Providing written information is helpful, but detailed instructions may overwhelm a forgetful older adult. Without strategies to simplify administration, written material alone is unlikely to ensure adherence.

Make sure the patient understands the actions and side effects of each drug: Understanding medications is important, but a forgetful patient may struggle with recall. While teaching remains necessary, simplifying the schedule is more effective in promoting adherence.

This is the posterior tibial located behind and slightly below the medial malleolus on the inner aspect of the ankle.

This is the popliteal artery pulse found behind the knee in the popliteal fossa. It assesses circulation above the tibia, not posterior tibial.

This is the femoral pulse found in the groin (inguinal area), useful for assessing central circulation, but not posterior tibial.