A home health nurse visits a client who has COPD and receives oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The client reports difficulty breathing.
Which of the following actions is the nurse’s priority?

Call emergency services for the client.

Increase the oxygen flow to 3 L/min.

Have the client cough and expectorate secretions.

Assess the client’s respiratory status.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

This is the nurse’s priority because it will help determine the severity of the client’s difficulty breathing and guide the appropriate interventions. According to the Mayo Clinic, oxygen therapy for COPD is indicated when there is not enough oxygen in the blood, which can be measured by a pulse oximeter or a blood gas test. Increasing the oxygen flow without assessing the oxygen level could be harmful or ineffective. Having the client cough and expectorate secretions may help clear the airway, but it is not the first action to take. Calling emergency services may be necessary if the client’s condition is life threatening, but it should not be done before assessing the respiratory status.

Choice A is wrong because it does not address the immediate need of assessing the respiratory status and may cause unnecessary panic or delay in treatment.

Choice B is wrong because it does not follow the guidelines for oxygen therapy for COPD, which require a prescription and monitoring of oxygen levels.

Increasing the oxygen flow without assessing the oxygen level could cause oxygen toxicity or suppress the respiratory drive.

Choice C is wrong because it is not the most urgent action to take.

Having the client cough and expectorate secretions may help clear the airway, but it may also increase the work of breathing and worsen hypoxia.

Assessing the respiratory status should come first.

Normal ranges for oxygen saturation are 95% to 100% for healthy individuals and 88% to 92% for most people with COPD. Normal ranges for blood gas tests vary depending on the laboratory, but generally, normal values for arterial blood gas are: pH 7.35 to 7.45, PaCO2 35 to 45 mm Hg, PaO2 80 to 100 mm Hg, HCO3 22 to 26 mEq/L.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Withholding food and oral fluids until intestinal mobility has returned. This is because the client may have postoperative ileus (POI), which is a reduction of gastrointestinal motility after abdominal surgery. POI is characterized by abdominal distension, lack of bowel sounds, accumulation of gas and fluids in the bowel, and delayed passage of flatus and stools.

Giving food and fluids to a client with POI may worsen the condition and cause complications.

Choice A is wrong because high fat foods may slow down GI motility and increase the risk of constipation.

Choice B is wrong because solid food intake may also aggravate POI and cause abdominal discomfort.

Choice C is wrong because fiber intake may increase gas production and distension in the bowel. The nurse should auscultate the abdomen for bowel sounds, and if they are present, or the client reports passing flatus, clear fluids can commence, and aperients can be administered. However, bowel sounds are not a reliable indicator of the end of POI, as they may not be associated with the time of first flatus.

Therefore, withholding food and oral fluids until intestinal mobility has returned is the most appropriate action by the nurse.

A. a huge barrier in accessing health care. B. due to politics; not something nurses get involved with. C. only a problem for those who do not speak English. D. regulated by the Joint Commission.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A lack of insurance or lack of sufficient insurance is a huge barrier in accessing health care. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, uninsured people are less likely to receive preventive care and services for major health conditions and chronic diseases. They also face greater difficulties in affording care and paying medical bills.

Choice B is wrong because politics is not the only factor that affects the availability and affordability of health insurance. Other factors include income, employment status, age, health status, and geographic location. Nurses have a professional and ethical responsibility to advocate for the health needs of their clients and communities, which may involve engaging with political issues. Choice C is wrong because language is not the only problem for uninsured or underinsured clients. Other problems include cost, access, quality, and continuity of care. Language barriers may affect communication and understanding between clients and providers, but they can be addressed by using interpreters, translators, or culturally competent staff.

Choice D is wrong because the Joint Commission does not regulate insurance coverage. The Joint Commission is an independent, nonprofit organization that accredits and certifies health care organizations and programs in the United States. It sets standards for quality and safety of care, but it does not determine who is eligible for insurance or what benefits are covered.

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A home health nurse visits a client who has COPD and receives oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The client reports difficulty breathing.
Which of the following actions is the nurse’s priority?