A client with a history of asthma and bronchitis arrives at the clinic with shortness of breath and a productive cough with thickened, tenacious mucus. The client reports difficulty walking up a flight of stairs without experiencing breathlessness. Which action is most important for the nurse to instruct the client about self-care?
Teach anxiety reduction methods for feelings of suffocation.
Increase the daily intake of oral fluids to liquefy secretions.
Call the clinic if undesirable side effects of medications occur.
Avoid crowded enclosed areas to reduce pathogen exposure.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Teaching anxiety reduction methods for feelings of suffocation is important but not the most immediate action needed to address the client’s respiratory symptoms.
Choice B rationale
Increasing the daily intake of oral fluids to liquefy secretions is the most important action for the nurse to instruct the client about self-care. This helps to thin the mucus, making it easier to expectorate and improving breathing.
Choice C rationale
Calling the clinic if undesirable side effects of medications occur is important but not the most immediate action needed to address the client’s respiratory symptoms.
Choice D rationale
Avoiding crowded enclosed areas to reduce pathogen exposure is important but not the most immediate action needed to address the client’s respiratory symptoms.
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View Related questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Promoting effective swallowing is important for patients with dysphagia, but it is not the primary goal for a client with a sliding hiatal hernia. The main concern with a sliding hiatal hernia is the prevention of gastroesophageal reflux, which can lead to complications such as esophagitis and Barrett’s esophagus.
Choice B rationale
Maintaining intact oral mucosa is crucial for patients with conditions affecting the mouth, such as oral mucositis or infections. However, it is not the primary goal for a client with a sliding hiatal hernia. The focus should be on preventing reflux and managing symptoms.
Choice C rationale
Preventing esophageal reflux is the primary goal for a client with a sliding hiatal hernia. This condition occurs when the stomach slides up into the chest through the diaphragm, leading to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Nursing actions should aim to reduce reflux symptoms by advising the client to eat smaller meals, avoid lying down after eating, and elevate the head of the bed.
Choice D rationale
Increasing intestinal peristalsis is important for patients with conditions like constipation or ileus. However, it is not the primary goal for a client with a sliding hiatal hernia. The focus should be on preventing reflux and managing symptoms.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Serum blood glucose level is not directly related to the presence of purulent drainage at a wound site. While blood glucose levels can affect wound healing, they do not provide specific information about the presence of infection.
Choice B rationale
Culture for sensitive organisms is the most appropriate laboratory value to note when purulent drainage is observed. This test helps identify the specific bacteria causing the infection and determines the most effective antibiotics for treatment.
Choice C rationale
C-reactive protein (CRP) level is a marker of inflammation and can indicate the presence of an infection, but it does not provide specific information about the bacteria causing the infection.
Choice D rationale
Blood pH level is not directly related to the presence of purulent drainage at a wound site. While blood pH can be affected by severe infections, it is not a specific indicator of wound infection.