A nurse is caring for an adolescent who has hyperthermia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A rationale: Adjusting medication times based solely on convenience violates the prescribed dosing interval, which is essential for maintaining therapeutic drug levels and preventing antibiotic resistance or toxicity.

Choice B rationale: Facility policies typically allow a "grace period" for non-time-critical medications, usually 30 to 60 minutes before or after the scheduled time, to ensure safe and timely administration.

Choice C rationale: Administering a medication 2 hours late significantly deviates from the prescribed schedule, potentially causing the drug's plasma concentration to fall below the minimum effective level required for treatment.

Choice D rationale: Increasing the infusion rate of vancomycin is dangerous and can cause "Red Man Syndrome," a hypersensitivity reaction characterized by flushing, rash, and hypotension due to rapid histamine release.

The correct answer is Choice B

Choice A rationale: Inserting the catheter without applying suction is correct technique. Suction should only be applied while withdrawing the catheter to prevent mucosal trauma and hypoxia. Initiating suction during insertion can damage tracheal lining and cause bradycardia due to vagal stimulation. Allowing clean insertion without suction reduces injury risk and supports effective secretion removal on withdrawal with controlled suction time.

Choice B rationale: Waiting 2 minutes between suction passes is too long and may delay secretion clearance, risking hypoxia and secretion buildup. Best practice is to wait about 30 seconds to 1 minute or until the client recovers baseline oxygen saturation and heart rate. Prolonged intervals may lead to atelectasis or respiratory distress in patients with poor reserve, especially if suctioning is incomplete or secretions are copious.

Choice C rationale: Suctioning should be limited to 10–15 seconds per pass to reduce hypoxemia and bronchospasm risks. Applying suction for 15 seconds falls within the upper acceptable range, particularly if preoxygenation is done. Extended suction beyond this can decrease PaO₂ levels rapidly. Limiting the suction time ensures safer removal of secretions while minimizing trauma and preserving adequate oxygenation.

Choice D rationale: Encouraging the client to cough facilitates mobilization of secretions toward the upper airway, making suctioning more effective. Coughing also enhances airway clearance naturally and may reduce the number of required suction passes. It is a therapeutic action in tracheostomy care that supports pulmonary hygiene, helps prevent atelectasis, and can reduce the need for deep suctioning interventions.