A nurse is caring for a 51-year-old male client with pneumonia in the hospital. The client has a history of hypertension and takes enalapril and a multivitamin daily. His surgical history includes adenoid removal at age 4 and surgical repair of a fractured tibia at age 20.
History and Physical
The client is a 51-year-old male with pneumonia. He has a history of hypertension and takes enalapril and a multivitamin daily. His surgical history includes adenoid removal at age 4 and surgical repair of a fractured tibia at age 20.
Nurses’ Notes
The client is alert and oriented but appears fatigued. He reports shortness of breath and a productive cough with greenish sputum. The client has been receiving oxygen therapy via nasal cannula at 2 L/min. He has been compliant with his medication regimen and reports no recent changes in his health status. The client denies any chest pain but mentions occasional wheezing.
Diagnostic Results
Chest X-ray: Consolidation noted in the right middle and lower lobe consistent with pneumonia.
Vital Signs
- Temperature: 38.5°C (101.3°F)
- Heart Rate: 98 bpm
- Respiratory Rate: 24 breaths per minute
- Blood Pressure: 145/90 mmHg
- Oxygen Saturation: 92% on 2 L/min of oxygen via nasal cannula
Physical Examination Results
The client appears fatigued and is using accessory muscles to breathe. Lung auscultation reveals crackles in the right middle and lower lobes. There is no peripheral edema, and the client’s skin is warm and dry. The client has a productive cough with greenish sputum. He is alert and oriented but appears anxious.
Provider’s Prescriptions
- Continue enalapril 10 mg daily
- Acetaminophen 500 mg every 6 hours as needed for fever
- Increase oxygen to 3 L/min via nasal cannula if oxygen saturation drops below 90%
- Administer albuterol nebulizer treatment every 4 hours as needed for wheezing
- Encourage deep breathing and coughing exercises every hour
Question: Which actions can the nurse do to assist the client in improving their ventilation and oxygenation? Select all that apply.
Avoid treating fever with antipyretics
Assist the client in ambulating safely
Providing suctioning so the client does not have to cough
Positioning the client with the head of the bed elevated
Encourage the client to take breaks from the oxygen mask every few hours
Teaching the client to cough at least once an hour
Asking the client to do quick, shallow breaths
Correct Answer : B,D,F
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Trouble sleeping is not directly relevant to the administration of pyridostigmine, which is used to improve muscle strength in myasthenia gravis.
Choice B rationale
Unexplained weight loss is not a primary concern when administering pyridostigmine. The focus should be on the patient’s ability to swallow and recent oral intake.
Choice C rationale
Difficulty with urination is not a primary concern for pyridostigmine administration. The medication’s effects on muscle strength and swallowing are more critical.
Choice D rationale
Recent oral intake is crucial to assess because pyridostigmine can cause gastrointestinal side effects, and food intake can affect its absorption and effectiveness.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Suctioning to clear secretions from the airway is the first intervention to implement. The client’s weak cough effort and use of accessory muscles to breathe suggest the presence of retained respiratory secretions, which can impair breathing and lead to further respiratory compromise.
Choice B rationale
Offering a prescribed PRN analgesic is important for overall comfort but is not the most immediate intervention needed to address the client’s respiratory distress.
Choice C rationale
Obtaining arterial blood gases may provide valuable information but is not the most immediate intervention needed to address the client’s respiratory distress.
Choice D rationale
Administering a prescribed antipyretic is not the most immediate intervention needed to address the client’s respiratory distress.