A nurse is caring for a client at risk for atelectasis. Which independent nursing measure should the nurse prioritize to prevent atelectasis development?

Incentive spirometry

Increase oral fluid intake

Ambulation

Oxygen therapy

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. Incentive spirometry: This is the most effective independent nursing measure to prevent atelectasis. Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing and lung expansion, which helps to keep the alveoli open and reduces the risk of collapse. It is particularly beneficial for clients at risk for atelectasis, such as those who have had surgery, are immobile, or have respiratory issues. Regular use of the incentive spirometer promotes optimal lung function and helps prevent the development of atelectasis.
B. Increase oral fluid intake: While maintaining adequate hydration is important for overall health and can help thin secretions, it is not as directly effective in preventing atelectasis as incentive spirometry. Increased fluid intake alone does not promote deep breathing or lung expansion, which are critical in preventing airway collapse.
C. Ambulation: Although ambulation is an important intervention for promoting overall mobility and respiratory function, it may not be as practical for all clients, especially those who are unable to move independently. While getting the client up and moving can help prevent atelectasis, the most immediate and effective measure remains the use of incentive spirometry, which can be performed regardless of the client’s mobility status.
D. Oxygen therapy: While oxygen therapy can help improve oxygenation in clients with respiratory issues, it does not directly prevent atelectasis. Providing supplemental oxygen does not address the need for lung expansion and deep breathing, which are essential in maintaining alveolar patency. Therefore, oxygen therapy should not be prioritized as the primary independent measure to prevent atelectasis.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Reports routinely list the identification number of any equipment involved: This practice is appropriate and helps in tracking any equipment-related issues. Including identification numbers can assist in identifying problems with specific devices or tools and does not represent a problem that needs to be reported.
B. Reports routinely include the client's hospital number: Including the client's hospital number in reports is standard practice for maintaining accurate records and ensuring proper tracking of incidents related to specific patients. This does not indicate a problem and is essential for accountability in healthcare reporting.
C. Reports routinely are completed within 24 hr after the incident: Timeliness in completing incident reports is important, and completing them within 24 hours is a best practice. This indicates a proactive approach to addressing incidents and does not represent a problem that needs to be reported to the risk manager.
D. Reports routinely omit the names of witnesses to the occurrence: This is a significant issue that should be reported to the risk manager. Witnesses can provide valuable information about the circumstances surrounding an incident, and their names should be documented for follow-up and investigation. Omitting this information could hinder the thoroughness of the incident review and the organization’s ability to address and prevent future occurrences effectively.

A. Encourage the client to take breaks from oxygen use to prevent tolerance. B. Assess cheeks and posterior ears for signs of skin breakdown. C. Maintain nasal oxygen at a 1 to 2 liter/minute flow rate D. Teach the client how to safely increase oxygen flow when they deem necessary.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Encourage the client to take breaks from oxygen use to prevent tolerance. Oxygen therapy does not cause "tolerance," and taking breaks can lead to hypoxemia in COPD clients. Continuous low-flow oxygen is essential to maintaining adequate oxygenation while avoiding hypercapnia. Stopping oxygen therapy intermittently can increase the risk of respiratory distress.
B. Assess cheeks and posterior ears for signs of skin breakdown. While it is important to monitor for pressure injuries from nasal cannula tubing, this is a general nursing consideration for all patients receiving oxygen therapy. It is not the highest priority when managing oxygen therapy in clients with COPD, where maintaining appropriate oxygen levels is critical.
C. Maintain nasal oxygen at a 1 to 2 liter/minute flow rate. Clients with COPD often have chronic CO₂ retention and rely on hypoxic drive for ventilation. Administering high-flow oxygen can suppress their respiratory drive, leading to CO₂ narcosis and respiratory failure. To prevent this, oxygen should be administered at the lowest effective flow rate, typically 1 to 2 L/min via nasal cannula, while closely monitoring oxygen saturation and blood gases.
D. Teach the client how to safely increase oxygen flow when they deem necessary. Allowing a client with COPD to adjust their oxygen flow independently can be dangerous, as excessive oxygen can lead to hypercapnia and respiratory depression. Oxygen adjustments should be made based on clinical assessments and healthcare provider orders.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse is caring for a client at risk for atelectasis. Which independent nursing measure should the nurse prioritize to prevent atelectasis development?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is reviewing event reports submitted during the previous month. The nurse should identify which of the following as a problem that should be reported to the risk manager?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The nurse should prioritize which precaution when administering nasal oxygen therapy to the client?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client immediately following endotracheal intubation. The nurse should assess the client for complications by performing which of the following priority action?

A nurse is caring for a client who has a tracheostomy. Exhibits Drag words from the choices below to fill in each blank in the following sentence. The client has manifestations of dropdownanddropdown

A nurse is taking a class about patient safety. The nurse should recognize that which of the following statements is true regarding patient safety and prevention of harm?

A nurse is caring for a client. Exhibits Which of the following actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.)

A clinic nurse is preparing to teach student nurses about care of clients with viral pharyngitis. Which information should the nurse include in the teaching plan? Select all that apply.

An experienced nurse has moved to a new state and is applying for a nursing position. The nurse has moved several times in the past few years and held several different positions. Which of the following resume types most appropriate?