The nurse observes a client with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is excessively drooling and prepares to suction the client's oral cavity.
Which action should the nurse include?

Instill 3 mL of normal saline before suctioning.

Instruct the client to cough as the suction tip is removed.

Apply a water-soluble lubricant to the catheter.

Wear protective goggles while performing the procedure.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A rationale:

Instill 3 mL of normal saline before suctioning. This choice is not appropriate for suctioning excessive drooling in a client with ALS. Instilling normal saline would introduce additional fluid into the oral cavity, potentially worsening the problem by increasing the amount of secretions. The goal of suctioning is to remove excess saliva and maintain a clear airway.

Choice B rationale:

Instruct the client to cough as the suction tip is removed. Instructing the client to cough during suctioning is not a recommended practice. It may cause discomfort and can lead to an increased risk of aspiration as the client might inhale while coughing during the procedure.

Choice C rationale:

Apply a water-soluble lubricant to the catheter. Applying a water-soluble lubricant to the suction catheter is a common practice to facilitate the passage of the catheter and minimize irritation to the client's oral tissues. While it is a helpful step, it is not the primary action that should be taken to ensure the safety of the procedure.

Choice D rationale:

Wear protective goggles while performing the procedure. This is the correct choice. When suctioning a client's oral cavity, especially when dealing with excessive drooling or secretions, it is essential for the nurse to wear protective goggles. These goggles protect the nurse's eyes from potential exposure to the client's bodily fluids, reducing the risk of infection transmission.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Altered consciousness within the first 24 hours after injury is not indicative of a developing epidural hematoma. An epidural hematoma typically manifests as a lucid interval followed by a rapid deterioration in consciousness hours after the injury.

Choice B rationale:

Cushing reflex (increased blood pressure, bradycardia, and irregular respirations) and cerebral edema after 24 hours are characteristic signs of a developing epidural hematoma. This occurs due to the accumulation of blood between the dura mater and the skull, leading to increased intracranial pressure.

Choice C rationale:

Headache and pupillary changes 48 hours after head injury are not specific signs of an epidural hematoma. These symptoms may indicate various other neurological conditions or complications.

Choice D rationale:

Fever, nuchal rigidity, and opisthotonos within hours are suggestive of meningitis rather than an epidural hematoma. These symptoms are not typical of epidural hematomas, which primarily involve alterations in consciousness and increased intracranial pressure.

A. Gather information regarding how long it will take for the children to arrive. B. Explain that the client will start to lose consciousness and the body systems will slow down. C. Offer to discuss the client's health status with each of the adult children. D. Reassure the spouse that the healthcare provider will notify when to call the children.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice B rationale:

Explaining that the client will start to lose consciousness and the body systems will slow down is the best response. This is a common pattern in the dying process, and it provides the wife with a clear and compassionate explanation of what to expect as her husband's death approaches.

Choice A rationale:

Gathering information regarding how long it will take for the children to arrive is important but does not address the immediate need for information on the dying process.

Choice C rationale:

Offering to discuss the client's health status with each of the adult children is a good approach for involving them in their father's care but does not provide the immediate information the wife is seeking.

Choice D rationale:

Reassuring the spouse that the healthcare provider will notify when to call the children does not offer information about the dying process itself, which is what the wife is interested in understanding.

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The nurse observes a client with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is excessively drooling and prepares to suction the client's oral cavity. Which action should the nurse include?

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The nurse observes a client with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is excessively drooling and prepares to suction the client's oral cavity.
Which action should the nurse include?