A client is receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD. and the arteriovenous (AV) graft in the right arm is no longer available to use for hemodialysis. The client has lost weight, has increasing peripheral edema, and has serum albumin level at 1.5 g/dL (15 g/L). Which intervention is the priority for the nurse to implement?Reference RangeSerum Albumin [Reference Range: 3.5 to 5.5 g/dL (35 to 55 g/L)]
Explanation & Rationale
Choice A: Recommending the use of support stockings to enhance venous return is not a priority intervention for the nurse, as this does not address the underlying cause of the peripheral edema, which is fluid overload due to inadequate dialysis. This is a distractor choice.Choice B: Ensuring the client receives frequent small meals containing complete proteins is a priority intervention for the nurse, as this can help improve the client's nutritional status and increase their serum albumin level, which can reduce fluid leakage into the interstitial spaces and decrease edema. Therefore, this is the correct choice.Choice C: Evaluating patency of the AV graft for resumption of hemodialysis is not a priority intervention for the nurse, as this is not feasible at this point since the AV graft is no longer available to use. This is another distractor choice.Choice D: Instructing the client to continue to follow the prescribed rigid fluid restriction amounts is not a priority intervention for the nurse, as this does not address the root problem of inadequate dialysis and low serum albumin level, which are contributing to fluid overload and edema. This is another distractor choice.