Question

The nurse is planning room assignments for the day. Which client should be assigned to the only private room? A. The client with Cushing's disease B. The client with diabetes C. The client with acromegaly D. The client with myxedema

Short answer

Answer: The client with myxedema (D) should be assigned the only private room, as this condition is life-threatening and requires close monitoring and management.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the conditions and their symptoms

We need to briefly understand the medical conditions of each client: A. Cushing's disease: A disorder caused by high levels of the hormone cortisol over an extended period. Symptoms include weight gain, moon face, fatty hump between the shoulders, thinning skin, slow healing of cuts, and increased frequency of infections. B. Diabetes: A group of diseases that result in high blood sugar levels. Symptoms include increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss, fatigue, and blurred vision. C. Acromegaly: A hormonal disorder that primarily affects middle-aged adults. Symptoms include enlarged hands, feet, and facial features. D. Myxedema: A life-threatening disorder caused by severe hypothyroidism. Symptoms include swelling of the face, hands, and legs, slow reflexes, weight gain, muscle weakness, and fatigue.

Evaluate the need for a private room

We need to evaluate each condition for any specific reasons that would require a private room, such as the need for isolation due to contagious infections, treatments that require privacy, or conditions that may be negatively impacted by shared spaces. A. Cushing's disease: Although clients with Cushing's disease may be at increased risk for infections, the condition itself is not contagious, and the client can be safely housed in a shared room. B. Diabetes: Diabetes is not a contagious disease, and clients can be safely managed in a shared room without any specific need for a private space. C. Acromegaly: This condition is not contagious and does not require any specific treatment that would necessitate a private room. D. Myxedema: This condition can be life-threatening and requires close monitoring and management. A private room would give the healthcare team better ability to closely monitor the client and provide necessary interventions without disruptions from others.

Assign the private room

Based on our evaluation of each condition and their specific needs, the client with myxedema (D) should be assigned the only private room, as this condition is life-threatening and requires close monitoring and management.