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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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Risk for infection is a concern for clients with neuropathy, as they may have reduced sensation and be unaware of injuries that can become infected. However, the primary concern in promoting foot care is preventing the occurrence of wounds or skin breakdown in the first place.
Choice B rationale
Self-care deficit is relevant for clients with neuropathy who may have difficulty performing foot care independently. However, the priority is to prevent skin breakdown and wounds, which can lead to more severe complications.
Choice C rationale
Impaired physical mobility is a common issue for clients with neuropathy, but it is not the primary concern for foot care. The focus should be on preventing skin breakdown and ensuring proper foot care to avoid complications.
Choice D rationale
Risk for impaired skin integrity is the priority for promoting foot care in clients with neuropathy. Neuropathy can compromise the ability to detect injuries or wounds on the feet, leading to unnoticed wounds that can become infected and cause serious complications.
Preventing skin breakdown and maintaining skin integrity is crucial in this scenario.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Injecting in the abdominal area at least 2 inches (5.1 cm) from the umbilicus is the correct technique for subcutaneous heparin injections. This reduces the risk of injury to blood vessels and nerves and ensures consistent absorption of the medication.
Choice B rationale
Rotating injections between the abdomen and gluteal areas is not recommended for low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) injections. The abdomen is the preferred site for consistent absorption.
Choice C rationale
Massaging the injection site to increase absorption is not recommended for LMWH injections. Massaging can cause bruising and affect the absorption of the medication.
Choice D rationale
Expelling the air in the prefilled syringe prior to injection is not recommended for LMWH injections. The air bubble helps ensure the entire dose is administered and prevents medication from leaking out.