Which intervention should the nurse prioritize for a patient with impaired mobility to prevent respiratory complications?

Offering fluids at room temperature can enhance the patient's comfort and promote adequate hydration in immobile patients.

Incorrect choices:

b. Limiting fluid intake to prevent incontinence is not appropriate as it can lead to dehydration. Adequate hydration should be maintained, and measures to manage incontinence should be implemented separately.

c. Providing a straw for easier drinking can facilitate fluid intake, but it may not be suitable for all patients or situations. Individualized assessment and patient preference should be considered.

d. Continuous intravenous fluids may not be necessary for all immobile patients and should be based on specific indications determined by the healthcare provider. Oral intake should be encouraged unless contraindicated.

Encouraging deep breathing and coughing techniques helps prevent respiratory complications such as atelectasis and pneumonia in patients with impaired mobility.

Incorrect choices:

a. Administering oxygen therapy may be indicated in some cases, but it does not directly address the prevention of respiratory complications associated with impaired mobility.

b. Incentive spirometry exercises are useful for promoting lung expansion and preventing atelectasis, but they are not the highest priority intervention for preventing respiratory complications.

d. Prophylactic antibiotics are not routinely administered to all patients with impaired mobility. Their use should be based on specific indications determined by the healthcare provider.