After observing blood-tinged mucous when suctioning a patient who has just arrived on the medical-surgical unit after a laryngectomy, which action by the nurse is best?

A. Have the client refrain from talking for 24 hr.: This is unnecessary; the client may talk once the effects of the local anesthetic wear off, typically within an hour or two after the procedure.
B. Withhold food and liquids until the client's gag reflex returns: This is the most important action to prevent aspiration. After a bronchoscopy, the throat is anesthetized, and eating or drinking before the gag reflex returns increases the risk of aspiration.
C. Irrigate the client's throat every 4 hr.: This is not a routine post-procedure intervention and could be uncomfortable for the client.
D. Suction the client's oropharynx frequently: Suctioning should only be performed if the client has difficulty clearing secretions. There is no routine need for frequent suctioning after a bronchoscopy unless clinically indicated.

A. A peak flow of more than 40% would indicate that the patient's asthma is not in an acute exacerbation. This patient's symptoms, such as confusion and inability to speak, suggest a severe asthma attack, and the peak flow would likely be much lower.
B. Bradycardia is not typically associated with severe asthma exacerbations. Tachycardia is more commonly observed as the body attempts to compensate for hypoxia.
C. Loud and prominent wheezing is usually seen in less severe cases of asthma. In this case, the inability to speak and confusion suggest severe respiratory distress, where wheezing might be diminished or absent due to poor air movement.
D. Deteriorating arterial blood gas (ABG) results, with low oxygen levels (hypoxemia) and elevated carbon dioxide levels (hypercapnia), would be expected in a patient with severe asthma exacerbation. These signs indicate respiratory failure and the need for urgent intervention.