A nurse on a telemetry unit is assisting with the plan of care for a client who has pulmonary edema. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

A) Initiate oxygen therapy via nasal cannula for a client who has COPD:

Clients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often have impaired gas exchange and may experience acute exacerbations requiring oxygen therapy to improve oxygenation and alleviate respiratory distress. Oxygen therapy is a critical intervention to address hypoxemia and prevent complications such as respiratory failure. Therefore, initiating oxygen therapy for a client with COPD is the highest priority among the options provided.

B) Initiate a 24-hr urine collection for a client who has end-stage kidney disease:

Initiating a 24-hour urine collection is an important nursing task for clients with end-stage kidney disease to monitor renal function and assess urine output. However, compared to the immediate need for oxygen therapy in a client with COPD, starting a urine collection is a lower priority and can be scheduled once the client's respiratory needs are addressed.

C) Administer an antibiotic for a client who has methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus:

Administering antibiotics for a client with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is important to control the spread of infection and prevent complications. However, unless the client's condition is critically unstable or the antibiotic administration is time-sensitive, addressing oxygenation needs for a client with COPD takes precedence due to the potential for respiratory compromise and hypoxemia.

D) Change the dressing for a client who has a decubitus ulcer:

Changing dressings for clients with decubitus ulcers is essential for wound care management and prevention of infection. While maintaining skin integrity is important, addressing respiratory distress in a client with COPD is a higher priority to ensure adequate oxygenation and prevent respiratory compromise.

A) Ask ambulatory clients to help to move clients in wheelchairs:

While enlisting the help of ambulatory clients to assist those in wheelchairs may seem logical, it is not typically recommended as it could pose safety risks to both parties during an evacuation. Assistive personnel should be trained to prioritize their own safety and the safety of others during evacuation procedures, following established protocols for assisting clients with mobility impairments.

B) Place dry towels around the bases of doors:

Placing dry towels around the bases of doors is a recommended fire evacuation procedure to prevent smoke from entering the room. This action helps create a barrier to smoke inhalation and can buy time for evacuation or rescue efforts. It is important to use dry towels or clothing to avoid fueling the fire and to minimize the passage of smoke.

C) Carry bedridden clients to safety by lifting them onto your back:

Carrying bedridden clients on one's back during a fire evacuation is not a safe or feasible method, especially for assistive personnel who may not have the physical strength or training to perform such tasks. Evacuating bedridden clients should be done using appropriate evacuation equipment such as evacuation sleds or sheets, following facility protocols and guidelines.

D) Aim the extinguisher at the top of the fire:

While using a fire extinguisher is an important aspect of fire safety training, aiming the extinguisher at the top of the fire is not always the correct approach. The appropriate technique for using a fire extinguisher depends on the type of fire and the specific instructions provided with the extinguisher. It is essential for assistive personnel to receive proper training on fire extinguisher use and to follow established procedures during emergencies.