A nurse is instructing a group of nursing students in measuring a client’s respiratory rate. Which of the following guidelines should the nurse include? (Select all that apply)

Place the client in semi-Fowler’s position

Have the client rest an arm across the abdomen

Observe one full respiratory cycle before counting the rate

count the rate for 30 sec if it is irregular

Count and report any sighs the client demonstrates

Answer and Explanation

Correct Answer : C,E

A. Place the client in semi-Fowler’s position:

While the semi-Fowler's position can be helpful in assessing respiratory function, it is not specifically required for measuring the respiratory rate. The key is to ensure the client is comfortable and able to breathe easily.

B. Have the client rest an arm across the abdomen:

Placing the arm across the abdomen is not a standard practice for measuring respiratory rate. The key is to allow the client to breathe naturally, and this position is not necessary for accurate measurement.

C. Observe one full respiratory cycle before counting the rate:

This ensures that the count is accurate and reflective of the client's typical breathing pattern.

D. Count the rate for 30 seconds if it is irregular:

When measuring the respiratory rate, it is generally recommended to count for a full minute to obtain an accurate representation of the client's breathing pattern. Counting for 30 seconds may underestimate or overestimate the rate, especially if the irregularity is not consistent.

E. Count and report any sighs the client demonstrates:

Sighs can be indicative of emotional or physiological stress, and noting them is important for a comprehensive respiratory assessment.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Take the blood pressure:

Assessing blood pressure is a critical initial step when a patient is experiencing dyspnea. It helps provide information about the patient's overall cardiovascular status, which is essential in determining the severity of the dyspnea and guiding subsequent interventions.

B. Remove the pillow from under the patient’s head:

Removing the pillow may be a relevant intervention if the patient is in a position that could be contributing to respiratory distress. However, the priority is to first assess vital signs, particularly blood pressure, to gather information about the patient's cardiovascular status.

C. Elevate the foot of the bed:

Elevating the foot of the bed may be a consideration if the dyspnea is related to conditions such as heart failure, where raising the legs can help reduce venous return and decrease the workload on the heart. However, the initial priority is to assess blood pressure to guide appropriate interventions.

D. Elevate the head of the bed:

Elevating the head of the bed may be beneficial for patients with respiratory distress to improve ventilation and oxygenation. While this intervention may be appropriate, the first action should be to assess vital signs, particularly blood pressure, to gain an overall understanding of the patient's condition.

A. Skin fold B. Toe C. Earlobe D. Finger

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Skin fold:

This may not be the best choice in this situation because the skin fold might not provide an accurate reading, especially if the hands are edematous.

B. Toe:

While the toe is a common site for pulse oximetry, in a patient with bilateral lower leg amputations, it might not be the most practical option. The nurse might face challenges in securing the pulse oximeter probe on the toe, and the accuracy of the reading could be affected.

C. Earlobe:

This is often a suitable alternative site for pulse oximetry when peripheral perfusion is compromised in the extremities. In this case, with bilateral lower leg amputations and edematous hands, applying the pulse oximeter probe to the earlobe is a good choice.

D. Finger:

In a patient with edematous hands, the finger might not be the best choice as the edema could affect the accuracy of the measurement. Additionally, if the patient has lower leg amputations, using the earlobe or another alternative site may be more appropriate.

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A nurse is instructing a group of nursing students in measuring a client’s respiratory rate. Which of the following guidelines should the nurse include? (Select all that apply)

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A patient is having dyspnea. What would the nurse do first?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is preparing to measure a client’s level of oxygen saturation on a patient who has had a bilateral lower leg amputation. He noticed the patient’s hands are very edematous. The nurse should apply the pulse oximeter probe to which of the following locations?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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