A nurse is admitting a client who has active tuberculosis to a room on a medical-surgical unit. Which of the following room assignments should the nurse make for the client?

A. Call emergency services for the client: While difficulty breathing is a concerning symptom, the immediate priority is to assess the client's respiratory status to determine the cause and appropriate interventions. Calling emergency services may be necessary based on the assessment findings, but assessment comes first.

B. Increase the oxygen flow to 3 L/min: Adjusting oxygen flow may be part of the intervention, but it should be based on a comprehensive assessment of the client's respiratory status. Simply increasing the oxygen flow without a thorough assessment may not address the underlying issue.

C. Have the client cough and expectorate secretions: This action may be appropriate if the client is experiencing difficulty breathing due to increased bronchial secretions. However, assessment is needed to determine the cause of the difficulty breathing before implementing interventions.

D. Assess the client's respiratory status: This is the correct answer. Assessment is the priority when a client with COPD on oxygen reports difficulty breathing. The nurse should gather information about the client's respiratory rate, effort, oxygen saturation, lung sounds, and overall respiratory distress to determine the appropriate course of action.

A. Bradypnea: Bradypnea refers to abnormally slow breathing. In the context of postoperative atelectasis and hypoxia, the client is more likely to exhibit tachypnea (rapid breathing) as the body attempts to compensate for reduced oxygen levels.

B. Bradycardia: Bradycardia is an abnormally slow heart rate. While hypoxia can lead to changes in heart rate, it is more common to observe tachycardia (increased heart rate) as a compensatory response to decreased oxygen levels.

C. Intercostal retractions: Intercostal retractions occur when the muscles between the ribs pull inward during inspiration. In a client with atelectasis and hypoxia, increased respiratory effort may result in intercostal retractions as the body tries to enhance airflow and improve oxygenation.

D. Lethargy: Lethargy refers to a state of drowsiness or fatigue. While hypoxia can lead to lethargy, it is not a specific respiratory manifestation. Other respiratory signs, such as increased respiratory rate and retractions, are more likely to be observed.