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.

Answer and Explanation

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.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Auscultate the bowel sounds in all four quadrants:

Auscultating bowel sounds is not directly relevant to nasopharyngeal suctioning. This assessment is more appropriate for evaluating gastrointestinal function and is not a priority during airway management procedures.

B. Palpate the client's pedal pulse volume bilaterally:

Palpating pedal pulse volume is not directly relevant to nasopharyngeal suctioning. This assessment is more appropriate for evaluating peripheral vascular perfusion and is not a priority during airway management procedures.

C. Determine the elasticity of the client's skin turgor:

Assessing skin turgor elasticity is not directly relevant to nasopharyngeal suctioning. This assessment is typically performed to evaluate hydration status and is not a priority during airway management procedures.

D. Observe the client's skin and mucous membranes:

This is the most appropriate assessment during nasopharyngeal suctioning. Observing the client's skin and mucous membranes helps monitor for signs of respiratory distress, such as cyanosis, pallor, or increased respiratory effort. It also allows the nurse to assess the effectiveness of airway clearance and potential complications related to the procedure.

A. Administer PRN oral pain medication. B. Review the pain medications prescribed. C. Ask the client what is causing the grimacing. D. Monitor the client's nonverbal behavior.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Administer PRN oral pain medication:

Administering pain medication without further assessment may not be appropriate, as the client's pain needs must be fully evaluated before intervening with medication. Additionally, pain medication should be administered based on an accurate assessment rather than solely on nonverbal cues.

B. Review the pain medications prescribed:

While it's important to review the client's pain medications, particularly if the client is exhibiting signs of uncontrolled pain, this intervention should be secondary to further assessment of the client's current pain status.

C. Ask the client what is causing the grimacing:

Asking the client directly about the cause of their grimacing can help clarify their discomfort and provide insight into whether their pain response is being underreported. This approach helps bridge the gap between nonverbal cues and verbal reports.

D. Monitor the client's nonverbal behavior:

While monitoring nonverbal behavior is important, it does not directly address the discrepancy between the client’s grimacing and their verbal denial of pain. This action should be complemented by further assessment to understand the cause of the nonverbal signs.

E. Establish a regular time for going to bed and getting up: This intervention is not relevant to the current situation, as the client is experiencing discomfort while moving.

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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?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which client assessment should the nurse perform during nasopharyngeal suctioning?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse notices a client grimacing while moving from the bed to a chair, but when asked about the pain the client denies having any pain. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A client who is paraplegic is admitted with a foul smelling drainage from a sacral ulcer. The client is suspected to have a methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. Which nursing intervention(s) should the nurse include in the plan of care? Select all that apply.

A confused older adult client is having trouble sleeping at night and is sometimes found wandering in the hallway. Which nursing intervention should the nurse implement first?

The nurse observes the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) securing a client's wrist restraints to the bedside rails. Which action is most important for the nurse to implement?

The nurse observes a newly employed unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) checking the temperature of an adult client using a tympanic thermometer. The UAP pulls the client's auricle up and back and prepares to Insert the thermometer. Which action should the nurse implement?

The nurse assesses an older adult client's ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). When observing the client ambulate, the nurse notes that the client's posture is upright, and the gait is smooth and steady. Which action should the nurse take next?

The nurse observes a practical nurse (PN) performing oral care on an unconscious client. Which action by the PN indicates to the nurse the need for additional training?

The nurse is using guided imagery with a client who is experiencing chronic pain. The nurse should direct the client's attention on which focus?

The nurse is reviewing the admission assessment of a client with chronic pain. What Intervention(s) should the nurse Include in the client's plan of care? Select all that apply.