A client is being treated for bacterial pharyngitis. Which of the following should a nurse recommend when promoting the client's nutrition during treatment?

A. Respond to ventilator alarms: While it is crucial to respond to ventilator alarms promptly to ensure the client’s safety and adequate ventilation, this action is not the highest priority in relation to the use of neuromuscular blockers. The use of neuromuscular blockade requires a broader focus on the patient's overall care and safety.
B. Report the absence of spontaneous respirations: Reporting the absence of spontaneous respirations is important, as neuromuscular blockers can cause paralysis of the respiratory muscles. However, the focus should be on maintaining the client's safety and comfort while they are on mechanical ventilation, rather than just reporting findings.
C. Provide passive range-of-motion exercises: This is the priority action when caring for a client receiving neuromuscular blockers. Since the client cannot move voluntarily due to the effects of the neuromuscular blockade, passive range-of-motion exercises are essential to prevent complications such as contractures and muscle atrophy. This intervention helps maintain joint mobility and circulation, which is critical in patients who are mechanically ventilated for an extended period.
D. Encourage the client to attempt to breathe on their own: Encouraging the client to breathe on their own is not appropriate when they are receiving neuromuscular blockade, as their respiratory muscles are paralyzed. Instead, the focus should be on ensuring that the mechanical ventilation settings are adequate to provide proper oxygenation and ventilation while the client cannot initiate breaths independently. This action could lead to respiratory distress if attempted while under neuromuscular blockade.

A. Repositioning in bed: While repositioning the client is important for comfort and preventing complications such as pressure ulcers, it is not the top priority immediately after a pneumonectomy. Proper positioning can help improve respiratory function, but ensuring the stability and function of chest drainage systems takes precedence in the immediate postoperative period.
B. Use of the incentive spirometer: Encouraging the use of an incentive spirometer is crucial for promoting lung expansion and preventing atelectasis. However, it is essential first to ensure that the client’s chest tube is functioning properly and that there are no complications from the surgery. While this intervention is important, it follows the need to assess the chest tube.
C. Application of antiembolism stockings: While applying antiembolism stockings is a good practice to prevent venous thromboembolism, it is not the highest priority in the immediate postoperative period. Other assessments and interventions, such as monitoring respiratory status and chest tube function, are more critical in this early stage after surgery.
D. Chest tube and pleura-vac assessment: This is the priority nursing intervention in the immediate postoperative period. After a pneumonectomy, monitoring the chest tube's placement, drainage output, and function is vital for ensuring that the pleural space is adequately drained and that there are no complications such as pneumothorax or hemothorax. This assessment is crucial for maintaining respiratory function and overall stability in the postoperative client.