A client is admitted to the hospital for medical treatment of pneumonia. What diagnostic test would the nurse examine to help the health care provider to determine the next step in planning care?

A. Mouth breathing is common after a tonsillectomy due to postoperative swelling and discomfort. It is not specifically a sign of hemorrhage. Instead, it is a typical adjustment as the child copes with throat pain and may find it easier to breathe through the mouth.
B. While reports of pain are expected after a tonsillectomy due to the nature of the surgery, they are not indicative of hemorrhage. Pain management is an important part of postoperative care, but increased pain alone does not signal bleeding.
C. Frequent swallowing can be a significant manifestation of hemorrhage following a tonsillectomy. This behavior may indicate that the child is trying to clear blood or secretions from the throat, or it may suggest that the child is swallowing blood that is pooling in the throat. It is an important sign for the nurse to monitor, as it can indicate active bleeding.
D. Reports of thirst are common after surgery due to fasting before the procedure and the dry mouth that can result from mouth breathing or the surgical site itself. While excessive thirst should be addressed, it is not a direct indicator of hemorrhage.

A. While obtaining a peak flow reading can provide valuable information about the child’s lung function and severity of the exacerbation, it is not the priority action during a status asthmaticus situation. The immediate focus should be on reversing the acute bronchospasm and ensuring the child can breathe effectively.
B. Identifying the cause of the asthma exacerbation (such as allergens, respiratory infections, or environmental factors) is important for long-term management and prevention. However, during a crisis, the priority is to address the immediate respiratory distress rather than to investigate the underlying cause.
C. Short-acting beta-2 agonists (e.g., albuterol) are the first-line treatment during an acute asthma exacerbation because they work quickly to relax bronchial smooth muscle and relieve airway obstruction. Administering a SABA can rapidly improve the child's breathing and oxygenation.
D. Inhaled glucocorticoids (e.g., fluticasone) are used to reduce inflammation in the airways and are important in long-term asthma management. However, they do not act as quickly as SABAs and are not the first step in the acute management of status asthmaticus. While they may be part of the treatment plan, they should follow the administration of a SABA during an acute episode.