A charge nurse is reviewing the status of patients in the critical care unit. Which patient should the charge nurse notify the organ procurement team to evaluate for possible organ donation?

Choice A reason:

While assisting the client into a wheelchair and coaching deep coughing can be beneficial, it does not specifically describe the technique for performing assistive coughing, which is crucial for a quadriplegic patient who cannot generate effective coughs on their own.

Choice B reason:

Placing the client in a high-Fowler position and encouraging deep breaths can be helpful in enhancing lung expansion and breathing, but it does not address the specific method of assistive coughing, which requires manual assistance to be effective.

Choice C reason:

Placing hands on the lateral chest and pushing inward on exhalation is not the correct technique for assistive coughing. This method may not generate sufficient force to help with airway clearance in a quadriplegic patient.

Choice D reason:

Placing hands below the client's diaphragm and pushing upward with exhalation is the correct technique for assistive coughing, also known as quad coughing. This method helps to increase the force of the cough, allowing for better clearance of secretions from the airway, which is essential for patients with quadriplegia.

Choice A reason:

Encouraging the patient to deep breathe and use an incentive spirometer is important for lung expansion and preventing atelectasis. However, it is not the most immediate action following extubation.

Choice B reason:

Offering the patient medication for sedation is not appropriate immediately following extubation, as it could depress respiratory function and interfere with the patient's ability to clear secretions and maintain an open airway.

Choice C reason:

Assessing the patient's ability to speak is important to ensure that the vocal cords were not damaged during the intubation process. However, this is secondary to ensuring that the patient is breathing effectively and maintaining adequate oxygenation.

Choice D reason:

Assessing vital signs and effort of breathing is the most immediate and important action following extubation. Monitoring the patient’s respiratory status ensures that they are maintaining a patent airway, breathing effectively, and not experiencing respiratory distress or failure.