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 B
Explanation
A. Decreased lung sounds on expiration are common in COPD patients due to airway obstruction but do not necessarily indicate an acute issue.
B. Respirations are 40 breaths/minute is a critical finding, as this rapid respiratory rate suggests significant respiratory distress or worsening hypoxemia, which needs immediate intervention to prevent further complications.
C. An anterior-posterior diameter ratio of 1:1 (barrel chest) is a common finding in advanced COPD but does not indicate acute worsening.
D. Hyperresonance to percussion is typical in patients with COPD due to air trapping and does not suggest an immediate emergency.
E. Decreased tactile fremitus may occur in COPD due to increased air trapping but is not an urgent finding requiring immediate reporting.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Venous insufficiency typically presents with swelling and pain that worsens with prolonged standing, not with exercise.
B. Claudication is the correct term, as it describes pain due to decreased blood flow to the muscles during exercise, often relieved by rest, which matches the patient's symptoms.
C. Muscle cramps may cause pain but are usually not consistently triggered by activity and relieved by rest.
D. Deep vein thrombosis would typically present with pain, swelling, warmth, and redness rather than exercise-induced pain relieved by rest.
E. Bruit from turbulent blood flow is an audible sound over an artery and not directly related to the type of pain described.