A nurse administers an opioid analgesic to a postoperative client who also has severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement before leaving the client alone?
Apply the client’s positive airway pressure device.
Lift and lock the side rails in place.
Remove dentures or other oral appliances.
Elevate the head of the bed to a 45-degree angle.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Elevating the head of the bed to a 45-degree angle can help improve airway patency and reduce the risk of airway obstruction in clients with OSA. However, applying the positive airway pressure device (CPAP or BiPAP) takes precedence due to its direct impact on maintaining airway patency and preventing respiratory compromise.
Choice B rationale
Lifting and locking the side rails in place ensures the safety of the client but does not directly address the client’s OSA or the potential respiratory depression associated with opioid analgesic administration.
Choice C rationale
Applying the client’s positive airway pressure device is the most important intervention in this scenario. Clients with severe obstructive sleep apnea rely on positive airway pressure devices, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP), to maintain airway patency and prevent episodes of apnea during sleep. Applying the device before leaving the client alone ensures continuous support for effective breathing.
Choice D rationale
Removing dentures or other oral appliances may be necessary for client comfort and safety, but it is not directly related to managing OSA or preventing respiratory compromise associated with opioid analgesic administration.
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View Related questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Smoking cessation is the most important lifestyle modification for preventing and managing cardiac disease. Smoking is a major modifiable risk factor that can cause atherosclerosis, hypertension, arrhythmias, thrombosis, and myocardial infarction. Quitting smoking has a more direct effect on improving the function and structure of the blood vessels and heart, significantly reducing the risk of cardiovascular events and mortality.
Choice B rationale
A low-fat diet is a useful lifestyle modification for preventing and managing cardiac disease, but it is not the most important one. While it helps in lowering cholesterol levels and reducing inflammation, smoking cessation has a stronger influence on overall cardiovascular health.
Choice C rationale
Stress reduction is a helpful lifestyle modification for preventing and managing cardiac disease, but it is not the most important one. Although managing stress can improve heart health, smoking cessation has a more immediate and significant impact on reducing cardiovascular risks.
Choice D rationale
Regular exercise is beneficial for preventing and managing cardiac disease, but it is not the most important lifestyle modification. Exercise helps in maintaining a healthy weight, lowering blood pressure, and improving overall cardiovascular health, but smoking cessation has a greater impact on reducing the risk of cardiovascular events.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Positioning the head with the chin tilted slightly downward is an appropriate action when feeding a client with a CVA. This position helps prevent aspiration by closing the airway and directing food away from the trachea.
Choice B rationale
Allowing 30 minutes of rest before feeding is an appropriate action. Resting before feeding can help improve digestion and reduce the risk of aspiration by ensuring the client is alert and responsive during feeding.
Choice C rationale
Placing food on the unaffected side of the mouth is an appropriate action when feeding a client with a CVA. This technique helps the client manage food more effectively and reduces the risk of aspiration.
Choice D rationale
Raising the head of the bed to 60 degrees is not sufficient to prevent aspiration. The head of the bed should be elevated 45 to 90 degrees to ensure proper positioning and reduce the risk of aspiration. Therefore, if the UAP raises the head of the bed to only 60 degrees, it indicates the need for additional teaching.