A client with chronic lung disease is prescribed 40% oxygen via face mask. Which finding indicates to the nurse that the client is experiencing oxygen toxicity? Select all that apply.

Choice A Reason:

Occasional palpitations are a common symptom of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with a non-sustained ventricular response. Palpitations are sensations of a rapid, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat, which occur due to the irregular and fast heart rate characteristic of SVT. These palpitations can be intermittent and may vary in intensity, often causing discomfort and anxiety in patients.

Choice B Reason:

Weakness can be associated with SVT, but it is not as specific or common as palpitations. Weakness may occur due to the reduced cardiac output and decreased perfusion to the muscles during episodes of rapid heart rate. However, it is not the primary symptom that nurses would anticipate in patients with SVT.

Choice C Reason:

Shortness of breath is another symptom that can occur with SVT, especially during prolonged episodes. The rapid heart rate can lead to decreased efficiency in blood circulation, causing the patient to feel breathless. While shortness of breath is a significant symptom, palpitations are more directly associated with the diagnosis of SVT.

Choice A Reason:

Documenting that the nasogastric tube is in the correct place is not appropriate in this scenario. A gastric pH of 7.35 is too high for stomach contents, which typically have a pH between 1.5 and 3.5. This high pH suggests that the tube may be misplaced, possibly in the respiratory tract or another non-gastric location. Therefore, documenting the tube as correctly placed could lead to serious complications if the tube is indeed misplaced.

Choice B Reason:

Notifying the health care provider is the most appropriate action. A pH of 7.35 is indicative of a potential misplacement of the nasogastric tube. The health care provider needs to be informed immediately to take corrective actions, such as ordering an X-ray to confirm the tube’s placement or re-evaluating the tube’s position. This step is crucial to ensure patient safety and prevent complications such as aspiration pneumonia or other adverse effects.

Choice C Reason:

Checking for placement by auscultating for air injected into the tube is an outdated and unreliable method. This technique can sometimes give false assurance of correct placement, as the sound of air can be heard even if the tube is in the respiratory tract. Current best practices recommend using pH testing and radiographic confirmation for accurate placement verification.

Choice D Reason:

Retesting the pH using another strip might seem like a reasonable step, but it is not the best immediate action. If the initial pH test shows a value of 7.35, it is unlikely that retesting will yield a significantly different result. The priority should be to notify the health care provider to address the potential misplacement promptly.

.