A nurse is caring for a client who has been admitted to the antepartum unit

Complete the following sentence by using the list of options. Separate the two answers using a comma.

The nurse should recognize the client is experiencing

due to

.

Provide humidification of the room air. This is because humidification can help moisten the oral mucosa and reduce the discomfort of xerostomia. Xerostomia is a condition of dry mouth caused by reduced or absent saliva flow, which can occur after radiation therapy to the head and neck area.

Choice A is wrong because rinsing the mouth with an alcohol-based mouth wash can irritate the oral tissues and worsen xerostomia. Alcohol can also dehydrate the mouth and reduce saliva production.

Choice B is wrong because esophageal speech is a method of voice restoration after laryngectomy, not a treatment for xerostomia.

Esophageal speech involves swallowing air into the esophagus and releasing it to create sound.

It has nothing to do with saliva flow or dry mouth.

Choice C is wrong because saltine crackers are dry and hard to swallow without adequate saliva.

They can also scratch the oral mucosa and cause pain or bleeding. Offering the client saltine crackers between meals can aggravate xerostomia and increase the risk of choking.

Normal ranges for saliva flow vary depending on the method of measurement, but generally, a stimulated saliva flow rate of less than 0.7 mL/min or an unstimulated saliva flow rate of less than 0.1 mL/min is considered indicative of xerostomia.

The correct answer is choice D. Sit with the client to provide a sense of security.

A client who is experiencing a panic attack has a very high level of anxiety and a diminished ability to focus.

The nurse should stay with the client and remain calm and reassuring during the panic attack. This can help the client feel safe and supported, and reduce the intensity of the anxiety.

Choice A is wrong because atomoxetine is not an anti-anxiety medication, but a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It has no effect on reducing anxiety and can cause side effects such as insomnia, nausea, and increased blood pressure.

Choice B is wrong because encouraging the client to watch television is not a therapeutic intervention for a panic attack.

Watching television can increase the stimuli in the client’s environment, which can worsen the anxiety.

The nurse should maintain an environment with low stimulation for the client experiencing a panic attack. Dim lighting, few people, and minimal distractions can assist the nurse to decrease the client’s level of anxiety.

Choice C is wrong because teaching the client how to meditate is not appropriate during a panic attack.

Meditation is a relaxation technique that can be helpful for preventing or reducing anxiety, but it requires concentration and focus, which are impaired in a panic attack. The nurse should teach the client how to meditate when the client is calm and receptive, not when the client is in crisis.