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 C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Telling the client to dress the right arm first is practical advice but does not address the client’s frustration and emotional state. It is important to acknowledge the client’s feelings to provide empathetic care.
Choice B rationale
Offering a class on dressing tomorrow does not address the immediate frustration and emotional response of the client. The client needs support and understanding in the moment.
Choice C rationale
Acknowledging that dressing must be a frustrating experience for the client shows empathy and understanding. It validates the client’s feelings and helps build a therapeutic relationship.
Choice D rationale
Mentioning a policy against staff harassment is inappropriate and does not address the client’s frustration. It may escalate the situation and damage the nurse-client relationship.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Determining the elasticity of the client’s skin turgor is not directly related to nasopharyngeal suctioning. Skin turgor assessment is typically used to evaluate hydration status and does not provide information about the respiratory status or the need for suctioning.
Choice B rationale
Auscultating the bowel sounds in all four quadrants is unrelated to nasopharyngeal suctioning. Bowel sounds assessment is important for gastrointestinal evaluation but does not help in assessing the respiratory status or the effectiveness of suctioning.
Choice C rationale
Palpating the client’s pedal pulse volume bilaterally is not relevant to nasopharyngeal suctioning. This assessment is used to evaluate peripheral circulation and does not provide information about the respiratory status or the need for suctioning.
Choice D rationale
Observing the client’s skin and mucous membranes is crucial during nasopharyngeal suctioning. This assessment helps determine the client’s oxygenation status and the presence of cyanosis, which can indicate hypoxia. It also helps in identifying any trauma or irritation caused by the suctioning procedure.