A client is admitted to the medical-surgical unit with a chief complaint of prolonged vomiting over the past 24 hours. Based on the arterial blood gas (ABG) results of pH 7.5. PaCO2 36, HCO3 40, the nurse determines that the client is experiencing:

B. This is the best response. It demonstrates empathy, active listening, and a willingness to understand the client's emotions. By inviting the client to express their feelings further, the nurse creates an opportunity for therapeutic communication and can better assess how to support the client emotionally.

A. This response dismisses the client's feelings of anger and sadness and may come across as minimizing their emotions. It does not acknowledge the client's current state of distress or provide validation for their feelings.

C. This response expresses empathy and acknowledges the client's feelings, which is important. However, it may seem somewhat passive and could benefit from further exploration or invitation for the client to elaborate on their feelings.

D. This response is dismissive and judgmental. It may make the client feel invalidated or criticized for expressing their emotions, which can further escalate feelings of anger or distress.

D. This refers to the inability to clear secretions or obstructions from the respiratory tract to maintain airway patency. Based on the client's complaint of difficulty moving mucus from the throat to the mouth for expectoration, ineffective airway clearance is the priority problem. The client's reluctance to cough and deep breathe due to pain further exacerbates this issue, as effective airway clearance is crucial for preventing complications such as respiratory infections or atelectasis post-operatively.

A. Activity intolerance refers to insufficient physiological or psychological energy to endure or complete required or desired daily activities. In the case of a one-day post-operative client experiencing difficulty clearing mucus, activity intolerance is not the priority problem. The client's main issue is related to respiratory function and airway clearance rather than overall activity tolerance.

B. This refers to abnormal respiratory rate, depth, or rhythm that does not provide adequate ventilation. While the client's complaint of difficulty moving mucus and reluctance to cough or deep breathe suggests some respiratory discomfort, the main issue appears to be the inability to effectively clear airway secretions rather than an overall ineffective breathing pattern.

C. This refers to the inability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide across the alveolar-capillary membranes. While mucus in the throat can potentially affect gas exchange if it obstructs airflow significantly, the client's primary complaint is about difficulty clearing mucus rather than signs and symptoms of inadequate oxygenation or ventilation.