Final answer:
Option C. The most useful nursing intervention to help an elderly patient increase their daily fluid intake in an extended care facility is to offer a glass of fluid every hour while awake. This ensures consistent fluid consumption, which is critical for UTI prevention and management in elderly individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
An older resident of an extended care facility with recurrent urinary tract infections has a care plan goal to "increase daily intake of fluids." The most effective nursing intervention to assist the resident in meeting this goal would be to offer a glass of fluid every hour while awake.
This proactive approach ensures regular fluid intake throughout the day which is important for preventing dehydration and promoting frequent urination, thus reducing the risk of UTIs. Offering fluids consistently can be especially beneficial for elderly patients who might face physical challenges or cognitive impairments, making them less likely to seek out fluids on their own.
Additionally, ensuring the availability of a full pitcher of water at the bedside provides easy access for the resident to increase their fluid intake. However, simply providing the water may not be enough if the resident is not inclined to drink without regular prompting. Maintaining record of the client's intake and output every shift is also important for monitoring their fluid balance, but this is more of a tracking measure rather than an intervention to encourage fluid intake.