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 B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
An increase in B-lymphocytes and IgM is not how HIV suppresses the immune system. B-lymphocytes are responsible for producing antibodies, and IgM is a type of antibody. HIV primarily affects T-lymphocytes, specifically helper T-cells (CD4 cells), rather than B-lymphocytes.
Choice B rationale
The destruction of helper T-cells and CD4 cells is the primary mechanism by which HIV suppresses the immune system. HIV targets and infects these cells, leading to their depletion. Helper T-cells play a crucial role in coordinating the immune response, and their loss results in a weakened immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections and diseases.
Choice C rationale
A deficiency of cytotoxic T cells is not the primary mechanism by which HIV suppresses the immune system. Cytotoxic T cells (CD8 cells) are involved in directly killing infected cells, but the main impact of HIV is on helper T-cells (CD4 cells), which are essential for orchestrating the immune response.
Choice D rationale
The proliferation of suppressor T-cells is not how HIV suppresses the immune system. Suppressor T-cells (regulatory T cells) help regulate and control the immune response, but HIV primarily affects helper T-cells (CD4 cells), leading to their destruction and a weakened immune system.
Correct Answer is ["A","D"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Enalapril is an ACE inhibitor used to manage hypertension. While it is generally safe, in the context of pneumonia, it can potentially cause complications such as hypotension, especially if the patient becomes septic or dehydrated. Additionally, ACE inhibitors can cause a persistent cough, which might be confused with or exacerbate the symptoms of pneumonia.
Choice B rationale:
Admitting the patient to the medical floor is appropriate given the diagnosis of pneumonia and the patient’s symptoms. Hospitalization allows for close monitoring and administration of necessary treatments.
Choice C rationale:
Sending blood for a complete blood count and electrolytes is standard practice to assess the patient’s overall health and identify any potential complications such as electrolyte imbalances or infection severity.
Choice D rationale:
Supplemental oxygen at 10 L/min via nasal cannula is quite high and typically not the first choice for pneumonia patients. High-flow oxygen therapy or non-invasive ventilation might be more appropriate if the patient requires such high levels of oxygen. Generally, nasal cannulas are used for lower flow rates (up to 6 L/min), and higher flow rates can cause discomfort and nasal dryness.
Choice E rationale:
Ibuprofen is commonly used to manage fever and pain in pneumonia patients. It helps reduce fever and alleviate discomfort, which can improve the patient’s overall condition.
Choice F rationale:
Continuous pulse oximetry is appropriate for monitoring the patient’s oxygen saturation levels, especially given the initial low oxygen saturation on room air.
Choice G rationale:
Vital signs every 4 hours is a standard practice for monitoring patients with pneumonia to detect any changes in their condition promptly.
Choice H rationale:
A chest X-ray is essential for diagnosing and assessing the extent of pneumonia. It helps in identifying the presence of infiltrates, consolidation, or other complications.