A nurse is caring for a postoperative client. Which intervention should the nurse identify as important to prevent postoperative pulmonary complications?

Place suction equipment at the bedside.

Administer a prophylactic expectorant.

Encourage the use of an incentive spirometer.

Perform range of motion exercises.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A Reason:

Place suction equipment at the bedside is incorrect. While having suction equipment available is important for emergency situations, it does not directly prevent postoperative pulmonary complications. Suction equipment is used to clear the airway if the client has difficulty breathing or if there is an obstruction.

Choice B Reason:

Administer a prophylactic expectorant is incorrect. Prophylactic expectorants can help in managing secretions, but they are not the primary intervention for preventing postoperative pulmonary complications. The main goal is to promote lung expansion and prevent atelectasis.

Choice C Reason:

Encourage the use of an incentive spirometer is correct. Using an incentive spirometer encourages deep breathing and lung expansion, which helps prevent atelectasis and other postoperative pulmonary complications. It is a key intervention in postoperative care to maintain optimal lung function.

Choice D Reason:

Perform range of motion exercises is incorrect. While range of motion exercises are important for preventing musculoskeletal complications and promoting circulation, they do not directly prevent pulmonary complications. The focus for pulmonary health is on lung expansion and clearing secretions.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

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

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Encouraging the patient to drink more fluids is a primary intervention for managing thick respiratory secretions. Adequate hydration helps to thin the mucus, making it easier to expectorate. Fluids such as water, herbal teas, and clear broths are particularly effective. The normal daily fluid intake for an adult is about 2-3 liters, depending on individual needs and health conditions.

Choice B reason: Getting a prescription for an antitussive agent is not the best initial approach for managing thick respiratory secretions. Antitussive agents are used to suppress coughing, which can be counterproductive when trying to clear mucus from the respiratory tract. Instead, expectorants or mucolytics are more appropriate as they help to thin and loosen the mucus.

Choice C reason: Teaching effective deep breathing is beneficial for overall lung health and can help in mobilizing secretions. However, it is not as immediately effective as increasing fluid intake for thinning thick secretions. Deep breathing exercises can be part of a comprehensive respiratory care plan but should be combined with other interventions like hydration.

Choice D reason: Changing the patient’s position every 2 hours is a good practice for preventing complications such as pressure ulcers and promoting lung expansion. However, it is not specifically targeted at thinning thick respiratory secretions. Positional changes can aid in the drainage of secretions but are secondary to ensuring adequate hydration.

Correct Answer is ["3"]

Explanation

Step-by-Step Calculation:

Step 1: Determine the dose required.

Dose required = 1.5 mg

Step 2: Determine the dose available per tablet.

Dose available per tablet = 0.5 mg

Step 3: Calculate the number of tablets needed.

Number of tablets = Dose required ÷ Dose available per tablet
Number of tablets = 1.5 mg ÷ 0.5 mg/tablet

Step 4: Perform the division.

1.5 ÷ 0.5 = 3

Result: The nurse should administer 3 tablets.

Therefore, the nurse should administer 3 tablets.

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 postoperative client. Which intervention should the nurse identify as important to prevent postoperative pulmonary complications?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who is complaining of thick respiratory secretions that are difficult to clear. What should the nurse encourage the client to do to help clear those secretions?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin 1.5 mg PO to a client. The amount available is digoxin 0.5 mg tablet. How many tablets should the nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

Correct Answer is ["3"]

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who has pneumonia and a prescription for oxygen therapy at 5 L/min via nasal cannula. Which action should the nurse take?

A nurse is assessing a client’s peripheral IV during hourly rounding. The nurse notices the site has erythema, warmth, edema, and a red line traveling up the vessel. Which complication would the nurse identify this client has?

A nurse is teaching a client who is obese and has obstructive sleep apnea on how to decrease the number of nightly apneic episodes. Which client statement indicates an understanding of the teaching?

A nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas values for a client. The nurse should recognize that the values indicate which of the following acid-base imbalances? The values are: pH: 7.56 PaCO2: 55 mmHg HCO3: 33 mEq/L Normal ranges: pH: 7.35-7.45 PaCO2: 35-45 mmHg HCO3: 22-28 mEq/L

A nurse on the medical-surgical unit is conducting a fall risk assessment on four clients. Which of these clients would be at greatest risk for falls?

A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. Which action should the nurse take for hand hygiene to be effective?

A nurse received a prescription to administer a medication NOW to a client. Which action should the nurse take?

A nurse is planning care for a client who has manifestations of a Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection. Which action should the nurse plan to take?