A nurse administers an opioid analgesic to a postoperative client who also has severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Which Intervention is most important for the nurse to implement before leaving the client alone?
Elevate the head of the bed to a 45 degree angle.
Lift and lock the side rails in place.
Apply the client's positive airway pressure device.
Remove dentures or other oral appliance.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Elevate the head of the bed to a 45-degree angle:
Elevating the head of the bed can help improve airway patency and reduce the risk of airway obstruction in clients with OSA. While this intervention is important, applying the positive airway pressure device (CPAP or BiPAP) takes precedence due to its direct impact on maintaining airway patency and preventing respiratory compromise.
B. Lift and lock the side rails in place:
Ensuring the safety of the client by lifting and locking the side rails is important, but it does not directly address the client's OSA or the potential respiratory depression associated with opioid analgesic administration.
C. Apply the client's positive airway pressure device:
This is the most important intervention in this scenario. Clients with severe obstructive sleep apnea rely on positive airway pressure devices, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP), to maintain airway patency and prevent episodes of apnea during sleep. Applying the device before leaving the client alone ensures continuous support for effective breathing.
D. Remove dentures or other oral appliance:
While removing dentures or other oral appliances may be necessary for client comfort and safety, it is not directly related to managing OSA or preventing respiratory compromise associated with opioid analgesic administration.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Turn the head to the right and left:
Turning the head involves rotation of the cervical spine, which primarily consists of pivot joints rather than hinge joints. This action is more relevant to the movement of pivot joints.
B. Extend the arm at the side and rotate in circles:
Extending the arm and rotating it in circles primarily involves the movement of ball-and-socket joints, such as the shoulder joint, rather than hinge joints.
C. Bend the arm by flexing the ulna to the humerus:
This action involves bending the arm at the elbow joint by flexing the ulna (forearm bone) towards the humerus (upper arm bone). The elbow joint is a hinge joint, allowing primarily flexion and extension movements.
D. Tilt the pelvis forwards and backwards:
Tilting the pelvis forwards and backwards primarily involves the movement of ball-and-socket joints in the hip area, rather than hinge joints.

Correct Answer is ["1"]
Explanation
To determine how many tablespoons the client should take with each dose, we need to first calculate the dosage in tablespoons based on the concentration of the oral suspension.
Given:
Dextromethorphan oral suspension concentration: 30 mg per 15 mL
To find out how many milliliters the client should take per dose:
The prescribed dose is 30 mg.
So, if 15 mL contains 30 mg, then 1 mL contains:
30 mg / 15 mL = 2 mg/mL
To find out how many milliliters the client should take for the prescribed dose:
30 mg / 2 mg/mL = 15 mL
Now, we know that the prescribed dose is 15 mL. To convert this to tablespoons, we can use the fact that 1 tablespoon (tbsp) is equal to 15 milliliters.
So, the client should take:
15 mL / 15 mL/tbsp = 1 tablespoon
Therefore, the nurse should instruct the client to take 1 tablespoon with each dose.
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