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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View Related questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Tiotropium is a long-acting bronchodilator used daily to manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It helps to relax the muscles around the airways, making it easier to breathe. This medication is not intended for immediate relief of acute symptoms but for long-term control of COPD1.
Choice B rationale
Using another inhaler in between uses of tiotropium is not necessary unless prescribed by a healthcare provider. Tiotropium is meant to be used daily, and other inhalers may be prescribed for different purposes, such as rescue inhalers for sudden symptoms.
Choice C rationale
While tiotropium can help improve breathing and reduce symptoms over time, it is not specifically indicated to reduce the thickness of sputum. Other medications or treatments may be needed to address sputum consistency.
Choice D rationale
Tiotropium is not a rescue inhaler and should not be used for sudden shortness of breath. Rescue inhalers, such as albuterol, are designed for immediate relief of acute symptoms.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
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.