A nurse is assessing a patient with respiratory acidosis.
What symptoms should the nurse anticipate?

Choice A rationale:

Prone The prone position, in which a patient lies facedown, is beneficial for patients with pneumonia as it helps shift the fluid away from the back of the lungs, allowing more air to enter. It also improves ventilation in the lungs and reduces the risk of lung collapse. However, this position is not the most effective for maximum lung expansion in pneumonia patients.

Choice B rationale:

Side-lying Lateral positioning, in which the patient lies on one side, is recommended for patients suffering from pneumonia in just one lung. In this position, the pneumatic lung is exposed to a higher blood flow, resulting in greater oxygenation levels and improved lung expansion. This position can also help prevent lung injury by helping regulate pressure and improve aeration.

But again, this is not the most effective position for maximum lung expansion in pneumonia patients.

Choice C rationale:

Supine The supine position, where the patient lies flat on their back, is not the best position for a pneumonia patient. This position can cause the secretions to pool in the lungs, making it harder for the patient to breathe and potentially worsening their condition. Choice D rationale:

Upright Elevating the head of the bed is an effective way to improve lung expansion and oxygenation levels in pneumonia patients. This position also helps eliminate airway obstruction, reduces pressure on the lungs, and promotes drainage of fluids from the lungs. Therefore, the upright position is the most recommended for maximum lung expansion in pneumonia patients.

Choice A rationale:

Tachycardia, or a rapid heart rate, is not typically an adverse effect of oxygen therapy. Oxygen therapy is often used to help people with conditions like COPD, COVID-19, emphysema, and sleep apnea get enough oxygen to function and stay well. While tachycardia can be a symptom of these conditions, it is not directly caused by the oxygen therapy itself.

Choice B rationale:

Cracks in the oral mucous membranes can indeed be an adverse effect of oxygen therapy. Oxygen therapy involves the delivery of highly concentrated oxygen, which can cause irritation and dryness in the airways, including the oral mucous membranes. This can lead to cracks and discomfort in the mouth. Therefore, it’s important for healthcare providers to monitor patients receiving oxygen therapy for signs of this adverse effect.

Excessive pulmonary secretions are not typically a direct adverse effect of oxygen therapy. While conditions that often require oxygen therapy, such as pneumonia and COPD, can lead to increased pulmonary secretions, these are symptoms of the underlying disease rather than the oxygen therapy itself.

Choice D rationale:

Poor skin turgor is not typically an adverse effect of oxygen therapy. Skin turgor refers to the elasticity of the skin, and poor skin turgor is often a sign of dehydration. While oxygen therapy can cause dryness of the mucous membranes, it does not typically affect the hydration status of the skin.