The nurse is teaching a client and her family about home care following a laryngectomy. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching from the nurse?
“I can wear loose-fitting turtlenecks to cover the stoma.”
“I can resume water aerobics once my doctor says it is okay.”
“I have a lot of green houseplants year-round throughout my home.”
Number 3 is correct.
Rationale: Swimming should be avoided and care should be taken when shaving or showering. A Medic-Alert bracelet is useful in life-threatening situations. Loose-fitting, high-neck sweaters and shirts may be worn to cover the stoma or tracheostomy tube. Green houseplants help increase humidity. Clients may also increase the humidity by using saline in the stoma as ordered, sitting pans of water around the house, or using a humidifier. Low humidity may make it more difficult to breathe and cause crusting around the stoma.
