The palliative care nurse receives a consult for a terminally ill client in the intensive care unit. The client is weak, mouth breathing, and refusing anything to eat or drink. Which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care?
Report any change in urine color.
Keep mucous membranes moist.
Record the client’s daily weight.
Maintain in high Fowler’s position.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Reporting any change in urine color is not a priority intervention for a terminally ill client who is weak, mouth breathing, and refusing anything to eat or drink. The focus should be on comfort measures.
Choice B rationale
Keeping mucous membranes moist is essential for comfort in terminally ill clients who are mouth breathing and refusing fluids. This can be achieved by offering ice chips, sips of water, or using a moist cloth.
Choice C rationale
Recording the client’s daily weight is not a priority in this situation as the client is terminally ill and the focus should be on comfort rather than monitoring weight.
Choice D rationale
Maintaining the client in high Fowler’s position is not necessary unless it helps with breathing. The priority is to keep the client comfortable.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Verifying the placement of the pulse oximeter is the first step to ensure the accuracy of the oxygen saturation reading. An incorrect placement can lead to inaccurate readings, and addressing this issue can help determine if further interventions are needed.
Choice B rationale
Increasing the oxygen to 3 L/minute may be necessary if the oxygen saturation remains low after verifying the pulse oximeter placement. However, this should be done after ensuring the accuracy of the initial reading.
Choice C rationale
Switching to a non-rebreather mask is not the immediate action to take. Non-rebreather masks deliver a high concentration of oxygen, typically reserved for severe hypoxia. The patient’s oxygen saturation is low, but not critically low.
Choice D rationale
Removing the nasal cannula is not appropriate as it would further decrease the oxygen supply to the patient. The goal is to improve oxygenation, not reduce it.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Telling the parents that their child’s medical information is none of their business is not appropriate. It is important to communicate respectfully and explain the legal status of the emancipated minor.
Choice B rationale
Promising to give the results to the parents as soon as they are back from the laboratory is not appropriate. The nurse should respect the legal status of the emancipated minor and their right to privacy.
Choice C rationale
Informing the parents that the nurse can only give medical information to their child because they are legally an adult is the best response. This explains the legal status of the emancipated minor and respects their autonomy.
Choice D rationale
Telling the parents that the healthcare provider will share the information with them is not appropriate. The nurse should respect the legal status of the emancipated minor and their right to privacy.