Nokea
A nurse works with clients who have alopecia from chemotherapy. What action by the nurse takes priority?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Alopecia, or hair loss, is a common chemotherapy side effect due to drugs targeting rapidly dividing cells, including hair follicles. While emotional support is vital, the priority is client safety. Teaching measures to prevent scalp injury such as avoiding harsh brushing or sun exposure takes precedence because the scalp becomes vulnerable without hair's protective barrier, risking cuts, infections, or burns. Helping clients adjust to appearance and reassuring them about regrowth address psychosocial needs but don't mitigate physical risk. Referring to a wig shop is practical but secondary to safety. In oncology nursing, prioritizing physical protection aligns with the hierarchy of needs, ensuring the client avoids complications like infection, especially if immunocompromised, before addressing emotional impacts.