A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with pneumonia and assesses labored breathing and copious tracheobronchial secretions. What priority action should the nurse encourage with the client?
Limit oral fluids to minimize labored breathing.
Perform pursed-lip breathing to expel trapped carbon dioxide from the alveoli
Lie in a low Fowler's position to promote lung expansion
Perform hourly incentive spirometry to inflate lungs and mobilize secretions.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Limit oral fluids to minimize labored breathing: This action is not appropriate, as adequate hydration is important for thinning mucus secretions, making it easier for the client to expectorate them. Limiting fluids could lead to thicker secretions, which may worsen the client’s respiratory distress and increase the difficulty of clearing secretions. Therefore, this approach is not suitable for a client with pneumonia and respiratory compromise.
B. Perform pursed-lip breathing to expel trapped carbon dioxide from the alveoli: While pursed-lip breathing can help with exhalation and improve oxygenation, it does not directly address the need to mobilize and clear copious secretions. This technique is beneficial in managing dyspnea and improving ventilation but is not the priority action when the client has significant secretions that need to be cleared.
C. Lie in a low Fowler's position to promote lung expansion: A low Fowler's position (30 degrees) is less effective for promoting lung expansion compared to higher Fowler's positions. Semi-Fowler's (30-45 degrees) or high Fowler's (greater than 45 degrees) positions are more beneficial for improving lung expansion and facilitating breathing in clients with respiratory distress. Therefore, this option does not provide the most effective intervention for the client's condition.
D. Perform hourly incentive spirometry to inflate lungs and mobilize secretions: This is the priority action for the nurse to encourage, as incentive spirometry is specifically designed to help inflate the lungs and improve lung function. It promotes deep breathing, which can enhance ventilation, prevent atelectasis, and facilitate the mobilization of secretions. Regular use of incentive spirometry is essential in managing pneumonia and can significantly improve respiratory outcomes for the client.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Cultural differences. While cultural beliefs may influence end-of-life decisions, the primary issue in this scenario is not cultural misunderstanding but rather the conflict between the client’s documented wishes and the family's demands. Cultural differences typically pertain to variations in values, traditions, or beliefs, rather than legal and ethical dilemmas regarding patient autonomy.
B. Ethical conflict. The nurse is experiencing moral distress due to a conflict between ethical principles—specifically, the principle of patient autonomy (respecting the client’s right to make their own healthcare decisions) and beneficence (providing care that benefits the client). The client’s living will, a legally binding document, states Do Not Resuscitate (DNR), yet the children are insisting on full resuscitation. The nurse’s distress arises from witnessing actions that contradict the client’s wishes and ethical nursing responsibilities.
C. Competition between groups. There is no indication that different groups, such as healthcare teams or family members, are competing for resources or control. The conflict stems from an ethical dilemma rather than rivalry or organizational disputes.
D. Scarcity, safety, and security. This situation does not involve limited resources, threats to safety, or security concerns. The distress is rooted in the ethical dilemma of honoring the client’s advance directive versus the family’s insistence on aggressive resuscitation measures.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C"]
Explanation
A. Wear a mask when caring for the client: This is an important action to prevent the spread of influenza, which is transmitted via respiratory droplets. Wearing a mask helps protect both the healthcare provider and other patients from potential exposure to the virus, especially in the early stages of the disease when the client is most contagious.
B. Place the client in a private room: This action is recommended to minimize the risk of transmitting the influenza virus to other patients. Isolating the client in a private room can help control the spread of infection, making it a necessary measure in this situation.
C. Encourage the client to increase fluid intake: Adequate hydration is essential for clients with influenza to help alleviate fever and maintain overall health. Increasing fluid intake supports the immune system and helps prevent complications such as dehydration, so encouraging the client to drink more fluids is appropriate.
D. Place the client on contact precautions: While contact precautions are essential for preventing the spread of infections transmitted by direct contact, they are not specifically necessary for influenza, which is primarily airborne and droplet transmitted. Standard precautions, including droplet precautions, are sufficient for managing a client with influenza.
E. Prepare to administer an antibiotic to the client: This action is not appropriate because influenza is a viral infection, and antibiotics are ineffective against viruses. Treatment for influenza typically involves antiviral medications if indicated, supportive care, and symptom management rather than antibiotics. Therefore, this option should not be included in the actions the nurse takes.
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