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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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.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Anxiety and grieving are important issues but are not the priority when the client is at risk for aspiration.
Choice B rationale
Chronic pain is significant, but the immediate risk of aspiration due to dysphagia takes precedence.
Choice C rationale
Risk for aspiration related to difficulty swallowing is the priority nursing problem. Aspiration can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia.
Choice D rationale
Imbalanced nutrition is important but is secondary to the immediate risk of aspiration.