A nurse is assessing a patient who has been using a nasal cannula for oxygen therapy. The patient complains of nasal dryness and irritation. What intervention should the nurse implement?
Switch to a simple face mask for better oxygen delivery.
Increase the flow rate of oxygen to improve humidity.
Assess the patient's nares for patency and skin integrity.
Reassure the patient that nasal dryness is a normal side effect.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
Switching to a simple face mask is not the appropriate intervention for nasal dryness and irritation. A simple face mask covers the nose and mouth, and it may not provide enough relief for nasal dryness as the oxygen flow is still directed towards the nose.
Choice B rationale:
Increasing the flow rate of oxygen will not directly improve humidity. Nasal dryness and irritation are often caused by the lack of moisture in the delivered oxygen. Increasing the flow rate may worsen the issue.
Choice C rationale:
Assessing the patient's nares for patency and skin integrity is the appropriate intervention. Nasal dryness and irritation can be caused by inadequate humidification of the oxygen. Checking the patency of the nares and the condition of the skin can help identify any issues that may be contributing to the discomfort.
Choice D rationale:
Reassuring the patient that nasal dryness is a normal side effect is not sufficient. While nasal dryness can be a common side effect of using a nasal cannula, it is essential to address the issue and provide appropriate interventions to alleviate the discomfort and prevent complications.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Refilling the oxygen tank based on the client's perception of it feeling light and empty is not a reliable method, as it may lead to running out of oxygen unexpectedly.
Choice B rationale:
The nurse should instruct the client to refill the oxygen tank when the pressure gauge reads below 500 psi. This is a standardized method to ensure the client does not run out of oxygen, as the pressure gauge provides an accurate measure of the remaining oxygen in the tank.
Choice C rationale:
Refilling the tank when a hissing sound is heard from the valve is not a valid method for determining the need for a refill and may result in running out of oxygen.
Choice D rationale:
Waiting for an alarm sound from the regulator to refill the tank is not recommended, as the tank could run out of oxygen before the alarm activates.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Although a tracheostomy collar provides oxygen directly to the trachea, the advantage specified in the question is related to the ability to breathe room air when disconnected from the oxygen source.
Choice B rationale:
This is the correct answer because a tracheostomy collar has an opening that allows the patient to breathe room air when the oxygen source is disconnected. This feature enables the patient to participate in activities without continuous oxygen delivery, promoting mobility and reducing the feeling of being tethered to an oxygen supply.
Choice C rationale:
A tracheostomy collar does not provide the highest fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) among low-flow systems. High-flow systems, such as non-rebreather masks or venturi masks, typically provide the highest FiO2.
Choice D rationale:
A tracheostomy collar does not deliver a fixed amount of oxygen independent of the patient's breathing pattern. Instead, it provides supplemental oxygen in response to the patient's inspiratory effort, which is a characteristic of low-flow oxygen delivery systems.
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