A nurse is reviewing the prescriptions for a client who is experiencing dysphagia following a stroke. Which of the following prescriptions should the nurse clarify?

A. Make a priority list of information the client should learn: While making a priority list of information is important, it should come after assessing the client's learning needs. This ensures that the most relevant and important information is prioritized.

B. Determine the client's learning needs: The first step in planning teaching is to assess the client’s learning needs. This allows the nurse to tailor the teaching plan to the client’s level of understanding, cultural preferences, and specific concerns related to the central venous access device.

C. Obtain written information to give the client: Written information is helpful but should not be the first step. It is more effective when tailored to the client’s learning needs, which should be assessed first to ensure relevance.

D. Select a visual method to reinforce verbal teaching for the client: Visual methods can be helpful for reinforcing verbal teaching, but this step should follow the assessment of the client’s learning needs. Teaching strategy should align with the client’s preferred learning style.

A. Administer acetaminophen: Acetaminophen is useful for fever, but it does not improve respiratory status. The priority is to promote lung expansion and prevent complications like atelectasis, which is achieved through deep breathing, coughing, and ambulation.

B. Instruct the client to use the incentive spirometer five times per hour: Using the incentive spirometer frequently helps to expand the lungs and reduce the risk of atelectasis, a common postoperative complication. This intervention encourages deep breathing and improves oxygenation, which is essential for the client’s respiratory status.

C. Ambulate the client 30 min after administering analgesia: Ambulation promotes deep breathing and lung expansion, and it helps to mobilize secretions. Administering analgesia before ambulation ensures that the client is comfortable enough to participate in this activity.

D. Encourage the client to cough and breathe deeply: Encouraging deep breathing and coughing helps clear secretions from the lungs and promotes better oxygenation. This helps prevent respiratory complications especially after surgery when lung expansion is compromised.

E. Administer ondansetron: While ondansetron is necessary for controlling nausea, it does not directly improve the client’s respiratory status. However, if nausea is under control, the client may be more willing to participate in activities that promote lung expansion.

F. Administer supplemental oxygen: The current oxygen saturation of 92% is slightly low but not critical. The priority is to improve the client’s respiratory status through physical activity and breathing exercises before considering oxygen supplementation.

G. Encourage the client to splint the abdomen: Splinting the abdomen with a pillow while coughing or deep breathing reduces discomfort, especially after abdominal surgery. This technique helps the client engage in deep breathing and coughing more effectively.