A postoperative client with a tracheostomy tube in place suddenly begins have noisy, bubbly sounding respirations. What action should the nurse take first?
Suction the tracheostomy
Change the tracheostomy tube
Notify the healthcare provider
Change the tracheostomy dressing
Do a head to toe assessment
The Correct Answer is A
A. Suctioning the tracheostomy is the priority action to clear secretions, which is likely the cause of the noisy, bubbly respirations. This can help the client breathe more easily.
B. Changing the tracheostomy tube is only necessary if the tube is obstructed or malfunctioning, and suctioning is generally the first step.
C. Notifying the healthcare provider may be needed if suctioning is ineffective or if complications persist, but immediate intervention is required.
D. Changing the tracheostomy dressing does not address the respiratory noise or potential secretion buildup.
E. A head-to-toe assessment may be needed, but the immediate concern is clearing the airway obstruction.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Hyperresonance is often heard in cases of pneumothorax or emphysema, not pneumonia.
B. Bubbling is not a percussed sound but rather a description of breath sounds or fluid.
C. Tympany is typically heard over hollow organs like the stomach and is not expected in lung assessment.
D. Dullness over lung tissue indicates fluid or consolidation, as seen in pneumonia.
E. Resonance is normal over healthy lung tissue but would not be expected over areas of consolidation.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. A barrel chest is a common finding in patients with emphysema due to lung hyperinflation but is not immediately life-threatening.
B. A respiratory rate of 22 per minute indicates mild tachypnea, which can be expected in patients with COPD, but is not the most alarming sign.
C. Oral cyanosis is a concerning sign that indicates inadequate oxygenation and can suggest severe respiratory distress or failure, necessitating immediate intervention.
D. Decreased lung sounds on expiration can occur in emphysema but is not as critical as the presence of cyanosis.
E. Pursed-lip expiration is a compensatory mechanism used by patients with COPD to improve breathing efficiency; it is generally a positive adaptive strategy.