A nurse is caring for a client who has pneumonia and a prescription for oxygen therapy at 5 L/min via nasal cannula. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Radiation therapy can cause immunosuppression, which increases the risk of infection. The nurse should monitor the client for signs of infection such as fever, chills, malaise, or purulent drainage.

1. Examine the skin for generalized urticaria. This is not a common side effect of radiation therapy, as urticaria is an allergic reaction that causes hives or welts on the skin. Radiation therapy can cause localized skin irritation, erythema, or dryness, but not generalized urticaria.
2. Review laboratory test results for low hemoglobin. This is not a direct effect of radiation therapy, as hemoglobin is a component of red blood cells that carries oxygen in the blood. Radiation therapy can cause anemia, which is a low number of red blood cells, but not necessarily low hemoglobin.
3. Monitor the mouth for signs of xerostomia. This is not relevant for a client who receives radiation therapy to treat lung cancer, as xerostomia is dry mouth caused by reduced salivary gland function. This can occur in clients who receive radiation therapy to treat head and neck cancer, but not lung cancer.

A. Administration of a prescribed bronchodilator is typically recommended approximately 30 minutes prior to meals rather than 1 hour. This pharmacological timing helps reduce dyspnea and facilitates easier deglutition and mastication by improving airflow. Using it too early may result in the peak therapeutic effect tapering off before the client finishes the meal.

B. Consuming 3 large meals each day is contraindicated for clients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease because a distended stomach can exert upward pressure on the diaphragm. This abdominal crowding significantly increases the work of breathing and leads to early satiety or respiratory distress. Clients are instead encouraged to eat 5 to 6 small, frequent, nutrient-dense meals.

C. The nurse should instruct the client to limit water or fluid intake during the actual mealtime to prevent premature gastric distention. Early fullness from fluids reduces the client’s ability to consume essential solid nutrients and calories required to support the increased metabolic demands of labored breathing. Fluids should be consumed between meals to maintain adequate hydration and thin secretions.

D. Reducing protein intake is inappropriate because these clients require high-protein and high-calorie diets to prevent muscle wasting and support the respiratory muscles. The metabolic cost of breathing in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is significantly elevated, often leading to a state of malnutrition or cachexia. Protein is vital for tissue repair and maintaining the functional integrity of the diaphragm.