A client has been newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
What symptoms or signs would be expected with this diagnosis? Select all that apply.

The nurse should obtain a sputum culture specimen before administering any antibiotics to the client with bacterial pneumonia.

This is because the sputum culture can help identify the causative organism and the appropriate antibiotic therapy.

Administering antibiotics before obtaining the sputum culture can alter the results and lead to ineffective treatment.

Choice B is wrong because azithromycin is an antibiotic that should be given after obtaining the sputum culture.

Choice C is wrong because coughing and deep breathing are important interventions to promote airway clearance and gas exchange, but they are not the priority actions for this client.

Choice D is wrong because offering clear liquids can help prevent dehydration and thin secretions, but they are not the most urgent action for this client.

Normal ranges for blood urea nitrogen (BUN) are 7 to 20 mg/dL and for creatinine are 0.6 to

1.2 mg/dL.

Elevated levels of these substances can indicate renal impairment, which can be a complication of bacterial pneumonia.

The nurse should monitor these levels and report any abnormalities to the health care provider.

Clubbing in upper digits and tripod positioning are signs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a respiratory disorder that has components of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Clubbing is a thickening and widening of the fingertips and nails due to chronic low oxygen levels in the blood. Tripod positioning is when the person leans forward and supports their arms on a table or chair to facilitate breathing.

Choice A is wrong because a BMI greater than 30% indicates obesity, which is not a specific sign of COPD, although it can worsen the condition.

Choice C is wrong because AP chest diameter of 1:1 means that the chest is as wide as it is deep, which is also known as barrel chest. This is a sign of emphysema, one of the components of COPD, but not of COPD itself.

Choice E is wrong because high amounts of energy are not associated with COPD. On the contrary, people with COPD often experience fatigue, weakness, and reduced exercise tolerance due to impaired gas exchange and respiratory muscle function.