A man has been admitted to the hospital unit with a medical diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He is receiving supplemental oxygen at 2 L/min via a nasal cannula. Which positioning technique will best assist him with breathing?

Choice A reason: Use gentle brushing and flossing techniques for clients with fragile mucosa is an important nursing intervention, but it is not the priority. Gentle brushing and flossing can help prevent plaque, gingivitis, and infection in the oral cavity, especially for clients with fragile mucosa due to dehydration, medication, or radiation. However, this intervention is not as urgent as having a suction apparatus ready at the bedside.

Choice B reason: Handle dentures with care is an important nursing intervention, but it is not the priority. Handling dentures with care can prevent damage, loss, or misplacement of the dentures, which can affect the client's comfort, appearance, and nutrition. However, this intervention is not as urgent as having a suction apparatus ready at the bedside.

Choice C reason: Position the client on one side with the head turned towards you is an important nursing intervention, but it is not the priority. Positioning the client on one side with the head turned towards you can facilitate the access and visibility of the oral cavity, as well as prevent the aspiration of saliva, blood, or debris. However, this intervention is not as effective as having a suction apparatus ready at the bedside.

Choice D reason: Have a suction apparatus ready at the bedside is the priority nursing intervention, because it can prevent the aspiration of saliva, blood, or debris, which can cause choking, pneumonia, or respiratory distress. Having a suction apparatus ready at the bedside can allow the nurse to quickly and safely remove any secretions or foreign materials from the oral cavity or the airway of the unconscious client.

Choice A reason: Nociceptive pain is not the type of pain that the client is experiencing. Nociceptive pain is caused by the stimulation of nociceptors, which are sensory receptors that detect tissue damage or potential harm. Nociceptive pain is usually localized, sharp, throbbing, or aching. It is associated with injuries such as cuts, burns, sprains, or fractures. The client's pain is not caused by any tissue damage or harm in the distal part of the amputated limb, as there is no tissue left there.

Choice B reason: Neuropathic pain is the type of pain that the client is experiencing. Neuropathic pain is caused by the damage or dysfunction of the nervous system, such as the peripheral nerves, the spinal cord, or the brain. Neuropathic pain is usually chronic, burning, shooting, or tingling. It is associated with conditions such as diabetes, shingles, stroke, or amputation. The client's pain is caused by the disruption of the nerve signals from the amputated limb, which creates a phantom sensation of pain in the missing part.

Choice C reason: Cutaneous pain is not the type of pain that the client is experiencing. Cutaneous pain is caused by the stimulation of the cutaneous receptors, which are sensory receptors that detect touch, temperature, or pressure on the skin. Cutaneous pain is usually superficial, brief, or pricking. It is associated with stimuli such as pinching, scratching, or cold. The client's pain is not caused by any touch, temperature, or pressure on the skin of the distal part of the amputated limb, as there is no skin left there.

Choice D reason: Visceral pain is not the type of pain that the client is experiencing. Visceral pain is caused by the stimulation of the visceral receptors, which are sensory receptors that detect stretch, inflammation, or ischemia in the internal organs. Visceral pain is usually deep, dull, or cramping. It is associated with conditions such as appendicitis, pancreatitis, or bowel obstruction. The client's pain is not caused by any stretch, inflammation, or ischemia in the internal organs of the distal part of the amputated limb, as there are no organs left there.