A nurse is assessing a child who has bacterial pneumonia.

Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?

The correct answer is choice D. Place a wedge under one of the client’s hips. This is because placing a wedge under one of the hips can help prevent compression of the inferior vena cava by the uterus, which can compromise placental blood flow and cause fetal hypoxia. Placing a wedge under the hip can also help reduce the risk of maternal hypotension, which can also affect fetal oxygenation.

Choice A is wrong because inserting a pillow under the client’s knees can increase the risk of thromboembolism, which is a potential complication of cesarean birth.

Choice B is wrong because positioning the client in reverse Trendelenburg can increase the risk of maternal aspiration, which is another potential complication of cesarean birth.

Choice C is wrong because assisting the client into the lithotomy position can also compress the inferior vena cava and reduce placental blood flow. The lithotomy position is also not necessary for cesarean birth, as the baby is delivered through an incision in the abdomen and uterus.

The correct answer is choice C. Perform the procedure prior to meals.

This is because postural drainage involves positioning the child in different ways to help drain the mucus from the lungs.

If the child has a full stomach, this can cause nausea, vomiting, or aspiration. Therefore, the nurse should perform the procedure before meals or at least 1 hour after meals.

Choice A is wrong because the nurse should not hold the hand flat to perform percussions on the child.

Percussions are rhythmic clapping on the chest wall to loosen the mucus. The nurse should use a cupped hand to create a small air pocket that enhances the vibrations and prevents bruising.

Choice B is wrong because the nurse should not perform the procedure twice a day. The recommended frequency of postural drainage is 3 to 4 times a day, or more if needed, depending on the child’s condition and tolerance.

Choice D is wrong because the nurse should not administer a bronchodilator after the procedure.

A bronchodilator is a medication that relaxes and widens the airways, making it easier to breathe. The nurse should administer a bronchodilator before the procedure to enhance the effectiveness of postural drainage.