An older adult client with a long history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted with progressive shortness of breath and a persistent cough. The client is anxious and is complaining of a dry mouth. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
Administer a prescribed sedative
Assist client to an upright position.
Encourage client to drink water
Apply a high-flow venturi mask.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Administer a prescribed sedative:
Sedatives may depress the respiratory drive, which can be detrimental in a client with respiratory distress. It is not the appropriate intervention in this case.
B. Assist the client to an upright position.
Positioning the client upright helps improve respiratory mechanics by reducing the pressure on the diaphragm and allowing better lung expansion. This position can enhance the efficiency of breathing and alleviate symptoms of breathlessness.
C. Encourage the client to drink water:
While maintaining hydration is important, it may not directly address the immediate respiratory distress. Addressing the respiratory symptoms with an upright position is more crucial at this moment.
D. Apply a high-flow venturi mask:
While oxygen therapy may be necessary for a client with COPD experiencing respiratory distress, the first step is to assist the client to an upright position to improve respiratory mechanics. Applying a high-flow venturi mask may be a subsequent intervention based on the overall assessment, but positioning is the initial priority.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Administer a topical analgesic:
Administering a topical analgesic can help alleviate pain and discomfort associated with oral thrush. However, it addresses the symptom rather than the cause of the issue.
B. Cleanse the mouth with swabs:
Cleansing the mouth with swabs can be part of the care plan for managing oral thrush. It helps remove debris and may reduce the fungal load in the mouth.
C. Obtain a soft diet for the client:
Providing a soft diet is important for clients with oral thrush as it minimizes irritation to the affected area. However, it may not be the first intervention; rather, it is part of the overall care plan.
D. Encourage frequent mouth care:
Encouraging the client to perform frequent mouth care is the most immediate and direct intervention. This includes gentle rinsing with a mild solution, which can help relieve symptoms and prevent the spread of the infection.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Irrigating the catheter manually:
Manually irrigating the catheter without an order may disrupt the clotting process and increase the risk of bleeding. It is not a routine nursing intervention post-TURP without specific orders.
B. Monitoring catheter drainage.
It is not within the nurse's scope of practice to manually irrigate the catheter without a healthcare provider's order, especially in the context of post-TURP care. The dark, pink-tinged outflow with blood clots indicates some expected bleeding following the procedure. The nurse should closely monitor the catheter drainage for the amount, color, and presence of clots.
C. Discontinuing infusing solution:
Discontinuing the normal saline irrigation may lead to clot formation and obstruction, potentially worsening the situation. The continuous bladder irrigation is often used to prevent clot formation and maintain catheter patency post-TURP.
D. Decreasing the flow rate:
The flow rate is typically set by the healthcare provider to maintain catheter patency and prevent clot formation. Decreasing the flow rate without specific orders may not be appropriate in this situation.
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