A client with end-stage Alzheimer’s disease is brought to the clinic by the caregiver for an appointment with the healthcare provider.

The caregiver speaks privately to the nurse about not sleeping well at night and experiencing frequent periods of crying.

Which intervention should the nurse implement?

Choice A rationale
For a client who has been intubated and is on a ventilator due to sepsis, the most appropriate action based on the client’s status would be to continue weaning the ventilator as ordered.
Weaning is the process of gradually reducing ventilator support, and it is typically initiated once the underlying cause of respiratory failure has been addressed. In this case, if the client’s condition has stabilized and there are no contraindications, continuing the weaning process as ordered would be the most appropriate action.
Choice B rationale
Decreasing the tidal volume is not necessarily the most appropriate action based on the client’s status. Tidal volume is the amount of air that is inhaled or exhaled during normal breathing.
While adjustments to tidal volume may be necessary in some cases, such as if the client is experiencing discomfort or if there are concerns about lung injury, there is no information in the scenario to suggest that a decrease in tidal volume is required at this time.
Choice C rationale
Switching the ventilator to pressure control is not necessarily the most appropriate action based on the client’s status. Pressure control ventilation is a mode of ventilation that can be used in certain situations, such as when there is a need to limit airway pressures. However, there is no information in the scenario to suggest that this change is required at this time.
Choice D rationale

Increasing the fractional concentration of inspired oxygen is not necessarily the most appropriate action based on the client’s status. The fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) is the concentration of oxygen in the gas mixture that the client is breathing. While adjustments to FiO2 may be necessary in some cases, such as if the client’s oxygen levels are low, there is no information in the scenario to suggest that an increase in FiO2 is required at this time.
Choice E rationale
Increasing the respiratory rate is not necessarily the most appropriate action based on the client’s status. The respiratory rate is the number of breaths that the client takes per minute, and it can be adjusted on the ventilator to meet the client’s needs. However, there is no information in the scenario to suggest that an increase in the respiratory rate is required at this time.
Choice F rationale
Changing the ventilator settings to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is not necessarily the most appropriate action based on the client’s status. CPAP is a mode of ventilation that can be used in certain situations, such as during the weaning process. However, there is no information in the scenario to suggest that this change is required at this time.
Choice G rationale
Alerting the provider of the blood gas values is not necessarily the most appropriate action based on the client’s status. While it is important to communicate significant changes or concerns to the provider, there is no information in the scenario to suggest that the blood gas values are abnormal or require immediate attention.

Choice A rationale
Reviewing the history and physical (H&P), nurse’s notes, flow sheet, and orders is a standard part of nursing care for any patient. However, in the case of a 3-week-old infant who has had a seizure, this action alone would not directly address the condition the infant is most likely experiencing.

Choice B rationale
While calling for a chest x-ray could be part of the diagnostic process for certain conditions, it is not typically the first action taken in response to a seizure in an infant.

Choice C rationale
Hypocalcemia, or low calcium levels in the blood, can cause seizures in infants. Phenytoin, the medication given to the baby in the ambulance, is used to control seizures. Therefore, hypocalcemia could be the condition the infant is experiencing.

Choice D rationale

Monitoring the respiratory rate is an important part of assessing any patient’s condition, especially an infant who has had a seizure. However, it does not specify the condition the infant is most likely experiencing.