The nurse is developing the plan of care for a client with pneumonia and includes the nursing problem of Ineffective airway clearance related to thick pulmonary secretions. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in the client's plan of care?

A. Teach the client how to count carbohydrates - Non-urgent. While essential for long- term management of diabetes, carbohydrate counting is not immediately critical in the acute management phase of HHS in the ICU. This teaching should be delayed until the patient is stabilized.
B. Stop the insulin infusion - Contraindicated. Stopping insulin in a patient with HHS, which is characterized by severe hyperglycemia, would be harmful. Insulin therapy is critical to reduce blood glucose levels safely.

C. Decrease the frequency of blood glucose tests - Contraindicated. Frequent monitoring is crucial in managing HHS, especially when insulin therapy is being administered, to prevent hypoglycemia and to monitor the effectiveness of treatment.
D. Start the client on a regular diet - Contraindicated. Introducing a regular diet during the acute phase of HHS could exacerbate the hyperglycemia. Nutritional needs should be assessed and managed carefully, typically starting with IV fluids and gradually transitioning to enteral or oral feeding as the patient stabilizes.
E. Decrease the insulin IV infusion to 0.05 units/kg/hr- Indicated. As blood sugar levels decrease, the insulin infusion rate may be cautiously reduced to prevent hypoglycemia.

A. Assessing the pin sites for signs of infection is essential in clients with skeletal traction to detect any early signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, warmth, or purulent drainage. Prompt identification and management of pin site infections can prevent complications.
B. Administering pain medication at designated intervals around the clock helps to ensure adequate pain control and comfort for the client. However, this intervention alone does not specifically address the care needs related to skeletal traction.
C. Assessing the pulses proximal to the fracture site is important for monitoring circulation and detecting any signs of impaired perfusion. However, this assessment is not directly related to the care of skeletal traction itself.
D. Removing traction every shift is not indicated unless there is a specific reason to do so as ordered by the healthcare provider. Continuous traction is often necessary for proper alignment and stabilization of the fracture. Additionally, providing skin care is important to prevent skin breakdown around the traction device, but removing traction every shift is not part of routine care.