A nurse is caring for a client who is complaining of thick respiratory secretions that are difficult to clear. What should the nurse encourage the client to do to help clear those secretions?

Encourage the patient to drink more fluids.

Get a prescription for an antitussive agent.

Teach effective deep breathing.

Change the patient’s position every 2 hours.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: Encouraging the patient to drink more fluids is a primary intervention for managing thick respiratory secretions. Adequate hydration helps to thin the mucus, making it easier to expectorate. Fluids such as water, herbal teas, and clear broths are particularly effective. The normal daily fluid intake for an adult is about 2-3 liters, depending on individual needs and health conditions.

Choice B reason: Getting a prescription for an antitussive agent is not the best initial approach for managing thick respiratory secretions. Antitussive agents are used to suppress coughing, which can be counterproductive when trying to clear mucus from the respiratory tract. Instead, expectorants or mucolytics are more appropriate as they help to thin and loosen the mucus.

Choice C reason: Teaching effective deep breathing is beneficial for overall lung health and can help in mobilizing secretions. However, it is not as immediately effective as increasing fluid intake for thinning thick secretions. Deep breathing exercises can be part of a comprehensive respiratory care plan but should be combined with other interventions like hydration.

Choice D reason: Changing the patient’s position every 2 hours is a good practice for preventing complications such as pressure ulcers and promoting lung expansion. However, it is not specifically targeted at thinning thick respiratory secretions. Positional changes can aid in the drainage of secretions but are secondary to ensuring adequate hydration.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A Reason:

Alginate dressings are typically used for wounds with moderate to heavy exudate because they are highly absorbent. Stage I pressure ulcers do not usually produce exudate, making alginate dressings unnecessary and inappropriate for this type of wound.

Choice B Reason:

Hydrogel dressings are designed to provide moisture to dry wounds and are more suitable for wounds with minimal to no exudate. While they can be used for stage I pressure ulcers, they are not the most common choice as these ulcers do not typically require additional moisture.

Choice C Reason:

Transparent dressings are ideal for stage I pressure ulcers because they protect the skin from friction and shear while allowing for continuous observation of the wound. These dressings maintain a moist environment, which is beneficial for healing, and are easy to apply and remove without causing additional trauma to the skin.

Choice D Reason:

Wet-to-dry gauze dressings are generally used for debridement of necrotic tissue in more advanced wounds. They are not suitable for stage I pressure ulcers, which do not have necrotic tissue and do not require debridement.

A. Sclera B. Dorsal surface of the foot C. Pinnae of the ears D. Palmar surface of the hand

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A Reason:

Sclera is correct. The sclera, or the white part of the eye, is a reliable site to assess for jaundice, especially in dark-skinned individuals. Jaundice causes a yellowish discoloration of the sclera due to the accumulation of bilirubin in the blood. This yellowing is often more noticeable in the sclera than in other parts of the body.

Choice B Reason:

Dorsal surface of the foot is incorrect. The dorsal surface of the foot is not a reliable site for assessing jaundice, particularly in dark-skinned individuals. The skin on the feet may not show the yellow discoloration as clearly as the sclera.

Choice C Reason:

Pinnae of the ears is incorrect. The pinnae, or outer parts of the ears, are not typically used to assess for jaundice. The skin in this area may not show the yellow discoloration as effectively as the sclera.

Choice D Reason:

Palmar surface of the hand is incorrect. While the palms can sometimes show signs of jaundice, they are not as reliable as the sclera. The yellow discoloration may be less noticeable on the palms, especially in dark-skinned individuals.

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A nurse is caring for a client who is complaining of thick respiratory secretions that are difficult to clear. What should the nurse encourage the client to do to help clear those secretions?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who has a stage I pressure ulcer. Which of the following dressings should the nurse plan to apply?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is assessing for jaundice on a dark-skinned client. Which site should the nurse examine to identify jaundice on this client?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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