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 A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Isolating the client from others is the most important action to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This includes isolating the client from other clients, family, and healthcare workers not wearing proper PPE2.
Choice B rationale
Reporting the COVID-19 result to the local health department is important but not the immediate priority. Isolation takes precedence to prevent transmission.
Choice C rationale
Teaching the client to wear a mask, hand wash, and social distance is essential but secondary to immediate isolation.
Choice D rationale
Counseling family members to monitor for symptoms is important but not the immediate priority. Isolation of the client is the first step.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Hematemesis, or vomiting blood, is a critical sign of bleeding esophageal varices, which can be life-threatening. Clients with chronic cirrhosis and esophageal varices are at high risk for variceal bleeding due to increased portal hypertension. Monitoring for hematemesis is essential to provide timely intervention and prevent complications.
Choice B rationale
Anorexia, or loss of appetite, is a common symptom in clients with chronic liver disease, but it is not the most critical problem to monitor in clients with esophageal varices. The primary concern is the risk of variceal bleeding.
Choice C rationale
Clay-colored stool indicates a lack of bile in the stool, which can occur in liver disease. However, it is not the most critical problem to monitor in clients with esophageal varices. The primary concern is the risk of variceal bleeding.
Choice D rationale
Brown, foamy urine can be a sign of liver dysfunction, but it is not the most critical problem to monitor in clients with esophageal varices. The primary concern is the risk of variceal bleeding.