A client who was admitted yesterday with bilateral pneumonia has congested breath sounds, an oxygen saturation of 94% on room air, and an oral temperature of 100° F (37.8° C). The client has a weak cough effort and is using accessory muscles to breathe. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

Obtain arterial blood gases.

Administer a prescribed antipyretic.

Offer a prescribed PRN analgesic.

Suction to clear secretions from airway.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. Obtaining arterial blood gases is important for assessing respiratory status but is not the immediate priority.
B. Administering an antipyretic can help reduce fever but does not address the immediate respiratory distress the client is experiencing.
C. Offering an analgesic can improve comfort but is not the priority intervention in this scenario.
D. Suctioning to clear secretions from the airway is the most critical intervention to improve the client’s respiratory status, especially given the weak cough effort and use of accessory muscles, indicating possible airway obstruction or ineffective clearance of secretions.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Raising hands above the head may not effectively improve gas exchange and could lead to discomfort in a client with dyspnea.
B. Laying down may not facilitate optimal breathing; instead, sitting upright is generally more effective.
C. Increasing the breathing rate can lead to hyperventilation and does not improve gas exchange.
D. Drawing air in through the nose and exhaling slowly through pursed lips helps maintain positive pressure in the airways, prevents airway collapse, and improves gas exchange by allowing for more effective expiration.

A. Attach humidification to oxygen delivery. B. Obtain a pulse oximetry reading. C. Coach through using huff coughing. D. Provide nebulizer breathing treatment.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. While attaching humidification can be beneficial for patients with respiratory issues, the immediate priority is to assess the client's oxygenation status.
B. Obtaining a pulse oximetry reading is crucial to determine the client's oxygen saturation level and guide further interventions.
C. Coaching through huff coughing is helpful, but it is more important to first assess oxygenation to understand the severity of the dyspnea.
D. Providing a nebulizer treatment can be an important intervention, but it should follow the assessment of the client's oxygen levels to determine if immediate treatment is necessary.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is caring for a client with emphysema who is mildly dyspneic after ambulation. Which instruction should the nurse provide to the client to improve gas exchange?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who develops an onset of dyspnea and tachypnea with coughing. After positioning the client upright, which action should the nurse take next?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a client who is taking diclofenac for rheumatoid arthritis. During a clinic visit, the client appears pale and reports increasing fatigue. Which of the client's serum laboratory values is most important for the nurse to review?

A client presents to the emergency department with muscle aches, headache, fever, and describes a recent loss of taste and smell. The nurse obtains a nasal swab for COVID-19 testing. Which action is most important for the nurse to take?

Following discharge teaching, a client with a duodenal ulcer tells the nurse of plans to eat plenty of dairy products to help coat and protect the duodenal ulcer. Which is the best follow-up action by the nurse?

Which approach is best for the nurse to use when directing a client with Huntington's disease to the hospital cafeteria?

An older female client is hospitalized with a fractured femur. During a routine nursing assessment, she repeatedly asks the nurse to "speak up" so that she can hear the questions. Which action is best for the nurse to take?

A client with multiple sclerosis (MS) fell while walking to the bathroom. Upon transfer to the intensive care unit, the client is confused and has had projectile vomiting twice. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?