A client who was admitted yesterday with bilateral pneumonia has congested breath sounds, an oxygen saturation of 94%, a weak cough effort, and is using accessory muscles to breathe. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
Suction to clear secretions from the airway.
Offer a prescribed PRN analgesic.
Obtain arterial blood gases.
Administer a prescribed antipyretic.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Suctioning to clear secretions from the airway is the first intervention to implement. The client’s weak cough effort and use of accessory muscles to breathe suggest the presence of retained respiratory secretions, which can impair breathing and lead to further respiratory compromise.
Choice B rationale
Offering a prescribed PRN analgesic is important for overall comfort but is not the most immediate intervention needed to address the client’s respiratory distress.
Choice C rationale
Obtaining arterial blood gases may provide valuable information but is not the most immediate intervention needed to address the client’s respiratory distress.
Choice D rationale
Administering a prescribed antipyretic is not the most immediate intervention needed to address the client’s respiratory distress.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Total protein levels are not directly related to the symptoms of pallor and fatigue. While important, they do not provide immediate insight into the client’s current condition.
Choice B rationale
Sodium levels are crucial for overall health but are not directly related to the symptoms of pallor and fatigue. Monitoring sodium is important for fluid balance but not for diagnosing anemia.
Choice C rationale
Glucose levels are essential for managing diabetes and other metabolic conditions but are not directly related to the symptoms of pallor and fatigue. Monitoring glucose is important for overall health but not for diagnosing anemia.
Choice D rationale
Hemoglobin levels are directly related to the symptoms of pallor and fatigue. Diclofenac, an NSAID, can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, leading to anemia. Therefore, reviewing hemoglobin levels is crucial in this scenario.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Storing the medication at room temperature is appropriate for ipratropium inhalers. This ensures the medication remains effective and safe for use.
Choice B rationale
Attaching a spacer device to the inhaler is recommended for patients using ipratropium inhalers. A spacer helps deliver the medication more effectively to the lungs and reduces the risk of side effects.
Choice C rationale
Rinsing the mouth after each use of the inhaler is a good practice to prevent oral thrush and other side effects. It is a recommended step in the proper use of inhalers.
Choice D rationale
Priming the inhaler with 7 pumps is excessive. Typically, inhalers need to be primed with 2-4 pumps before first use or if they haven’t been used for a while. Over-priming can waste medication and indicate a need for additional teaching.