A nurse is caring for a client who had a right sided stroke and is exhibiting homonymous hemianopsia when eating. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A reason: Attaching a humidifier bottle to the base of the flow meter is a correct action for the nurse to take for a client who has pneumonia and a prescription for oxygen therapy at 5 L/min via nasal cannula. A humidifier bottle adds moisture to the oxygen gas, which can prevent dryness and irritation of the nasal passages and the mucous membranes. A humidifier bottle is recommended for oxygen flow rates above 4 L/min.

Choice B reason: Securing the oxygen tubing to the bed sheet near the client’s head is not a correct action for the nurse to take for a client who has pneumonia and a prescription for oxygen therapy at 5 L/min via nasal cannula. Securing the oxygen tubing to the bed sheet can cause the tubing to kink or twist, which can reduce the oxygen flow or delivery. The nurse should secure the oxygen tubing to the client’s clothing or gown, and ensure that there is enough slack to allow the client to move comfortably.

Choice C reason: Applying petroleum jelly to the nares as needed to soothe mucous membranes is not a correct action for the nurse to take for a client who has pneumonia and a prescription for oxygen therapy at 5 L/min via nasal cannula. Petroleum jelly is a flammable substance that can ignite when exposed to oxygen. The nurse should avoid using petroleum jelly or any other oil-based products on the client’s face or nose when using oxygen therapy. The nurse should use water-based products, such as saline gel or nasal spray, to moisturize the nares and mucous membranes.

Choice D reason: Removing the nasal cannula while the client eats is not a correct action for the nurse to take for a client who has pneumonia and a prescription for oxygen therapy at 5 L/min via nasal cannula. Removing the nasal cannula can cause hypoxia, which is a low level of oxygen in the blood. The nurse should keep the nasal cannula in place while the client eats, and monitor the client’s oxygen saturation and respiratory status. The nurse should also assist the client with eating, and encourage small bites and sips to prevent aspiration.

Choice A reason: Impaired sense of humor is not a common finding for a client who had a stroke involving the left cerebral hemisphere. Impaired sense of humor is more likely to occur after a stroke involving the right cerebral hemisphere, which is responsible for processing humor, irony, and sarcasm.

Choice B reason: Poor judgment is not a typical finding for a client who had a stroke involving the left cerebral hemisphere. Poor judgment is more likely to occur after a stroke involving the frontal lobe, which is involved in executive functions, such as planning, reasoning, and decision making.

Choice C reason: Intellectual impairment is a possible finding for a client who had a stroke involving the left cerebral hemisphere. The left cerebral hemisphere is dominant for language and analytical thinking in most people. A stroke affecting this hemisphere can impair the ability to speak, read, write, calculate, and comprehend information.

Choice D reason: Loss of depth perception is not a frequent finding for a client who had a stroke involving the left cerebral hemisphere. Loss of depth perception is more likely to occur after a stroke involving the occipital lobe, which is involved in visual processing, or the parietal lobe, which is involved in spatial awareness.