A nurse is supervising a licensed practical nurse (PN) who is providing care to a client who is postoperative. Which of the following statements by the client requires the nurse to follow up with the PN?

A. “I understand your fears, I was a smoker also.”
While sharing personal experiences can sometimes be relatable, it may not be the most therapeutic response in this situation. The focus should be on the client's feelings and concerns rather than the nurse's personal history.

B. “Don’t worry. The important thing is you have now quit smoking.”
Dismissing the client's fear with a "don't worry" statement may invalidate the client's emotions. It's important to acknowledge and address the client's feelings rather than downplaying them.

C. “Your doctor is a great surgeon. You will be fine.”
While it's positive to express confidence in the medical team, this response does not directly address the client's emotional concerns. The client's fear may extend beyond the surgical aspect, and it's essential to explore and discuss those fears.

D. “It’s okay to feel scared. Let’s talk about what you are afraid of.”
This response is the most therapeutic as it acknowledges the client's emotions, validates the fear, and opens the door for further communication. It invites the client to express her concerns and allows the nurse to provide support and information based on the client's specific fears.

A. Prepare to administer a sedative:
Administering a sedative is not the priority in this situation. The client is experiencing shortness of breath, tachycardia, and hypoxemia, indicating a respiratory issue that needs immediate attention. Sedation can further depress the respiratory drive and exacerbate the hypoxemia.

B. Assess for indications of pulmonary embolism:
While the client's symptoms could be related to a pulmonary embolism, the priority at this moment is to address the immediate respiratory distress. Administering oxygen is crucial before further diagnostic assessments can take place. Once the client is stabilized, additional assessments can be performed to explore the cause of the symptoms.

C. Administer oxygen via face mask:
This is the correct and priority intervention. The client is hypoxic (SaO2 86%) with a low PaO2 and high respiratory rate. Administering oxygen via a face mask aims to improve oxygenation and relieve the hypoxemia associated with the respiratory distress.

D. Prepare for mechanical ventilation:
Mechanical ventilation may be considered if the client's respiratory distress is severe and not responsive to oxygen therapy. However, the immediate step is to administer oxygen via a face mask. If the client's condition does not improve with oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation may be the next step.