A nurse is caring for a patient who frequently attempts to remove his feeding tube. A family member requests that a restraint be applied.
Which of the following statements by the nurse is appropriate?

Choice A rationale
Pursed-lip breathing can help improve oxygenation and reduce shortness of breath in clients with COPD. However, it is not the priority action when a client reports difficulty breathing.
Choice B rationale
Increasing the oxygen flow rate without a physician’s order can lead to oxygen toxicity or suppress the respiratory drive in clients with COPD. Therefore, this is not the priority action.
Choice C rationale
Coughing and expectorating secretions can help clear the airways, but it is not the priority action when a client reports difficulty breathing.

Choice D rationale
Evaluating the client’s respiratory status is the priority action. The nurse should assess the client’s breath sounds, respiratory rate, use of accessory muscles, and oxygen saturation to determine the severity of the client’s difficulty breathing and guide further interventions.

The correct answer is Choice D

Choice A rationale: A 1-inch needle is typically used for intramuscular injections, not intradermal administration. Intradermal injections require a short, fine-gauge needle—usually ¼ to ⅝ inch in length and 25 to 27 gauge—to ensure accurate placement within the dermis. Using a longer needle increases the risk of injecting into subcutaneous tissue, which alters absorption and invalidates the test. Scientific technique demands precise needle selection based on anatomical depth and pharmacokinetics of the test substance.

Choice B rationale: A 20° angle is inappropriate for intradermal injections, which require a shallow angle of 5° to 15° to ensure deposition within the dermal layer. Angles greater than 15° risk penetrating into subcutaneous tissue, compromising test accuracy and absorption kinetics. The dermis is a narrow layer between the epidermis and subcutaneous fat, and precise angulation is critical for forming the characteristic wheal and ensuring localized immune response. Scientific technique mandates strict adherence to angle parameters.

Choice C rationale: The standard volume for a tuberculin skin test using purified protein derivative (PPD) is 0.1 mL, not 0.5 mL. Administering 0.5 mL would exceed the recommended dose, potentially causing excessive local reaction, invalid test results, and patient discomfort. The Mantoux method requires exact dosing to elicit a controlled immune response for accurate interpretation. Scientific protocol emphasizes precision in volume to maintain test validity and minimize adverse effects. Overdosing violates established guidelines.

Choice D rationale: Pinching or gently pulling the skin taut at the injection site stabilizes the dermal layer and facilitates correct needle placement. This technique ensures the needle enters at the proper angle and depth, allowing formation of a visible wheal, which confirms intradermal delivery. It also minimizes patient discomfort and prevents misplacement into deeper tissues. Scientific technique for intradermal injections prioritizes anatomical control and tactile feedback to optimize accuracy and diagnostic reliability.