The nurse is caring for four clients:

• Client A, who has emphysema and whose oxygen saturation is 94% on room air;
• Client B, with a postoperative hemoglobin of 8.2 mg/dL (82 g/L);
• Client C, newly admitted with a potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L (3.8 mmol/L);
• Client D, scheduled for an appendectomy who has a white blood cell (WBC) count of 14,000 mm3 (14 x 109/L).

Which intervention should the nurse implement?Reference Range:

• Hemoglobin [14 to 18 g/dL (140 to 180 g/L)]
• Potassium [3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L)]
• White Blood Cell [5,000 to 10,000/mm3 (5 to 10 x 109/L)]

Rationale

A. This approach might inadvertently increase feelings of isolation and worsen agitation. Older adults with dementia often benefit from social interaction and engagement. Limiting interaction could lead to increased confusion and behavioral issues.

B. Attempting to correct or argue with the client about their delusions is generally not effective and can escalate agitation. Clients with dementia may not have the cognitive ability to understand or accept reality as others perceive it. Therefore, trying to clarify or correct delusional thoughts is unlikely to be helpful and may increase distress.

C. While maintaining a consistent routine is beneficial for clients with dementia, forcibly awakening the client earlier could disrupt their natural sleep patterns and contribute to increased confusion and agitation. It's important to balance the need for routine with the client's individual sleep and rest patterns.

D. This approach focuses on redirecting the client's attention away from the distressing thoughts and behaviors. Distraction techniques involve engaging the client in activities or topics that they find enjoyable or comforting. Therapeutic communication skills include active listening, empathy, and validating the client's emotions without reinforcing delusions.

Rationale

A. This involves visually inspecting the chest to ensure both sides rise and fall equally during ventilation. Symmetrical chest movement suggests that both lungs are being adequately ventilated.

B. Auscultation involves listening with a stethoscope over the chest to confirm the presence of breath sounds in both lung fields. Bilateral breath sounds indicate that the ETT is correctly positioned in the trachea, allowing air to reach both lungs.

C. A chest x-ray provides a definitive confirmation of the ETT placement in relation to the trachea and lungs. It allows visualization of the tube's position relative to anatomical landmarks, such as the carina, which helps ensure proper placement.

This involves checking the markings on the ETT tube to ensure it is inserted to the correct depth. Typically, the ETT should be positioned with its tip approximately 2 to 4 cm above the carina, which corresponds to the 22-26 cm mark at the teeth line in adults. However, it does not confirm correct placement.

E. Capillary refill is a measure of peripheral perfusion and is unrelated to ETT placement. It assesses circulatory status by pressing on a nail bed and observing the time it takes for color to return. It does not provide information about ETT placement.