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 A

Explanation

Urinary catheterization is a common cause of health care-associated infections (HAIs), which are infections that patients get while receiving medical treatment in a health care facility. Urinary catheterization involves inserting a tube into the bladder to drain urine, which can introduce bacteria into the urinary tract and cause infections.

Choice B is wrong because malnutrition is not a direct cause of HAIs, although it can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of infections.

Choice C is wrong because multiple caregivers are not a direct cause of HAIs, although they can increase the exposure to different pathogens and cross contamination if they do not follow proper hygiene and infection control practices.

Choice D is wrong because chlorhexidine washes are not a cause of HAIs, but rather a preventive measure to reduce the risk of HAIs by disinfecting the skin and mucous membranes.

A. Nonmaleficence. B. Fidelity. C. Justice. D. Autonomy.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle of doing no harm or preventing harm to a client. It is based on the Hippocratic oath of “primum non nocere” or “first, do no harm”. It means that the nurse should act in the best interest of the client and avoid any actions that could cause injury or suffering.

Choice B. Fidelity is the ethical principle of being faithful and loyal to a client.

It means that the nurse should keep promises, respect confidentiality, and maintain trust.

Choice C. Justice is the ethical principle of treating clients fairly and equally.

It means that the nurse should distribute resources and services based on the client’s needs and not on personal biases.

Choice D. Autonomy is the ethical principle of respecting a client’s right to make their own decisions.

It means that the nurse should inform the client of their options and support their choices, as long as they do not harm others.

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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?

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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?