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.
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Some of the symptoms of heat stroke are:
• High body temperature of 104 F (40 C) or higher
• Altered mental state or behavior, such as confusion, agitation, slurred speech, seizures or coma
• Lack of sweating despite the heat
• Red, hot and dry skin
• Rapid and strong pulse
• Throbbing headach
• Nausea and vomiting
Choice B is wrong because it is necessary to call 911 if someone has heat stroke. Heat stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention and cooling of the body.
Choice C is wrong because it is not normal to vomit and not sweat during a marathon. Vomiting and lack of sweating are signs of dehydration and heat stroke, which indicate that the body is unable to regulate its temperature properly.
Choice D is wrong because getting the patient to a cooler, air-conditioned place will not reverse the heat exhaustion.
Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can lead to heat stroke if not treated. Heat exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea and muscle cramps. Getting the patient to a cooler place may help with heat exhaustion, but heat stroke requires more aggressive cooling measures such as immersing the patient in cold water or applying ice packs to the body.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C"]
Explanation
These actions ensure the safety of the client by reducing the risk of falls, confusion and injury.
Keeping a call bell within the client’s reach allows them to ask for help when needed.
Keeping a dim light on at night helps them orient themselves and see their surroundings.
Keeping unnecessary furniture out of the way prevents tripping and cluttering. Choice D is wrong because keeping all side rails up at all times can be considered a form of physical restraint, which is associated with many professional, legal and ethical challenges. Physical restraint should only be used as a last resort when other alternatives have failed or are not feasible. Keeping all side rails up can also increase the risk of injury if the client tries to climb over them.
Choice E is wrong because keeping all lights off at night can increase the risk of falls and confusion for the client.
Older adults may have impaired vision and cognition, and they may need to use the bathroom frequently at night. Keeping all lights off can make it difficult for them to find their way and increase their anxiety.
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