A nurse is planning care for a client who is receiving radiation therapy to treat throat cancer and reports a change in the taste of food. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
Offer artificial saliva frequently.
Provide three large meals daily.
Add honey to sweeten fruit smoothies.
Heat food before serving.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A: This is correct because offering artificial saliva frequently can help moisten the mouth and improve the taste of food. Radiation therapy can cause dry mouth and altered taste sensation.

Choice B: This is incorrect because providing three large meals daily can be overwhelming and unappetizing for the client. The nurse should provide small, frequent meals that are high in protein and calories.
Choice C: This is incorrect because adding honey to sweeten fruit smoothies can irritate the throat and increase the risk of infection. The nurse should avoid foods that are acidic, spicy, or sticky.
Choice D: This is incorrect because heating food before serving can enhance the unpleasant taste and smell of food. The nurse should serve food cold or at room temperature.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is A:
Choice A reason:
Replace the unit when the drainage chamber is full. This ensures continuous, effective drainage. A full chamber cannot collect more fluid, risking system compromise and patient safety.
Choice B reason:
Pinning the tubing to the bed sheets is incorrect because it can cause kinks in the tubing, leading to obstruction of drainage and potential complications.
Choice C reason:
Monitoring for at least 150 mL of drainage every hour is not a standard practice. Normal chest tube drainage is variable; excessive drainage, such as 150 mL/hour, could indicate a serious condition like hemorrhage.
Choice D reason:
Clamping the tube routinely for 30 minutes every 8 hours is not recommended. Clamping may be done during tube removal or to check for air leaks but doing so routinely can lead to tension pneumothorax.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: PaO2 85 mmHg is within the normal range of 80 to 100 mmHg and does not indicate any hypoxemia or oxygen deficiency.
Choice B reason: pH 7.47 is within the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45 and does not indicate any acid-base imbalance.
Choice C reason: HCO3 25 mEq/L is within the normal range of 22 to 26 mEq/L and does not indicate any metabolic disturbance.
Choice D reason: PaCO2 55 mmHg is above the normal range of 35 to 45 mmHg and indicates respiratory acidosis, which is a condition where the lungs cannot eliminate enough carbon dioxide and the blood becomes too acidic. This can be caused by pneumonia, which can impair gas exchange and ventilation.

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