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
Lubricating the thermometer before inserting it into the ear is not a standard practice for using a tympanic thermometer. Tympanic thermometers are designed to be used without lubrication, and using lubrication could interfere with the accuracy of the reading.
Choice B rationale
Holding the thermometer in place for a full three minutes is unnecessary for tympanic thermometers. These thermometers provide quick readings, usually within a few seconds, and holding it for longer does not improve accuracy.
Choice C rationale
Pulling the client’s auricle down and back is the correct technique for infants and young children. For adults, the correct technique is to pull the auricle up and back to straighten the ear canal for an accurate reading.
Choice D rationale
Using positive reinforcement to affirm that the procedure is being performed correctly is the appropriate action. The UAP is using the correct technique by pulling the client’s auricle up and back, which is the proper method for adults.