A nurse is providing discharge teaching about home care of a surgical incision to a client who speaks a different language from the nurse.
The nurse is communicating with the client using an interpreter. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

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.

The correct statements that indicate an understanding of discharge teaching for a client recovering from pancreatitis are:

✅ C. "I will eat small, frequent meals." This is recommended to reduce pancreatic stimulation and aid digestion.

✅ E. "I will notify my provider if my urine is dark." Dark urine may indicate worsening jaundice or liver involvement, which requires medical attention.

❌ A. "I will eat fish for dinner at least twice per week." While fish can be part of a healthy diet, the key dietary advice for pancreatitis is to eat low-fat meals. Fatty fish may not be appropriate unless specifically recommended.

❌ B. "I will limit my morning coffee to no more than two cups." Caffeine is not directly contraindicated, but the focus is more on avoiding alcohol and fatty foods. This statement doesn’t reflect core discharge teaching.

❌ D. "I should expect my bowel movements to be pale in color." Pale stools may indicate bile duct obstruction or liver dysfunction and should be reported, not expected.