A nurse is assessing a client who has hypoxia. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Choice A rationale:

Instructing the client not to adjust the oxygen flow rate is crucial to ensure the appropriate amount of oxygen is delivered. Oxygen flow rates are prescribed by a healthcare provider based on the client's needs, and altering the flow rate without medical guidance can lead to inadequate oxygen delivery or oxygen toxicity.

Choice B rationale:

Weekly equipment checks are important, but this choice is not the most critical instruction. Clients should be instructed to check their oxygen equipment daily for proper functioning and to address any issues promptly. Waiting a whole week could lead to potential problems going unnoticed.

Choice C rationale:

Storing unused oxygen tanks horizontally is incorrect. Oxygen tanks should be stored upright to prevent leaks and ensure proper functioning. Storing them horizontally can cause valve damage and leakage, which could lead to hazards.

Choice D rationale:

Using wool blankets on the bed is not a suitable instruction for a client using oxygen therapy. Wool blankets can generate static electricity, which might pose a fire hazard in the presence of oxygen-enriched environments.

The correct answer is: d. Protective. Protective precautions are crucial for clients who have had an allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplant due to their severely weakened immune systems.

Choice A reason:

Airborne precautions are used for infections that spread through the air, such as tuberculosis and measles. These infections require special ventilation and respiratory protection, which is not the primary concern for stem-cell transplant patients.

Choice B reason:

Contact precautions are used for infections spread by direct contact, like MRSA or C. difficile. These precautions involve wearing gloves and gowns but do not address the airborne or droplet risks that immunocompromised patients face.

Choice C reason:

Droplet precautions are for infections spread by large respiratory droplets, such as influenza or pertussis. While important, they do not provide the comprehensive protection needed for stem-cell transplant recipients.

Choice D reason:

Protective precautions involve placing the patient in a room with HEPA filtration and limiting visitors to minimize infection risk. This is essential for patients with compromised immune systems, such as those who have undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplants.