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.
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is d) Tighten the abdominal muscles while exhaling.
Choice A Reason:
“Raise both shoulders while breathing deeply” is incorrect. Diaphragmatic breathing focuses on using the diaphragm rather than the shoulders. Raising the shoulders can lead to shallow chest breathing, which is less effective for oxygen exchange.
Choice B Reason:
“Inhale through the mouth” is incorrect. For diaphragmatic breathing, it is recommended to inhale through the nose. This helps filter, warm, and humidify the air before it reaches the lungs.
Choice C Reason:
“Exhale through the nose” is incorrect. While exhaling through the nose is beneficial in some breathing exercises, diaphragmatic breathing typically involves exhaling through pursed lips. This technique helps slow down the exhalation and keeps the airways open longer.
Choice D Reason:
“Tighten the abdominal muscles while exhaling” is correct. Tightening the abdominal muscles helps push the diaphragm up, forcing air out of the lungs more efficiently. This action is a key component of effective diaphragmatic breathing.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: To provide a means for medication administration
A Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain is not used for medication administration. Its primary function is to remove fluids that accumulate in a surgical site, which helps to prevent infection and promote healing. Medication administration is typically done through other means such as intravenous (IV) lines or oral medications.
Choice B reason: To eliminate the need for wound dressings
The JP drain does not eliminate the need for wound dressings. Dressings are still required to protect the wound site, absorb any additional drainage, and prevent infection. The JP drain works in conjunction with dressings to manage wound care effectively.
Choice C reason: To limit the amount of bleeding from the surgical site
While the JP drain can help manage bleeding by removing accumulated blood, its primary purpose is not to limit bleeding. Instead, it is designed to prevent the buildup of fluids, including blood, which can lead to complications such as hematomas or infections.
Choice D reason: To prevent fluid from accumulating in the wound
The primary purpose of a Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain is to prevent fluid from accumulating in the wound. This includes blood, lymphatic fluid, and other bodily fluids that can collect at the surgical site. By removing these fluids, the JP drain helps to reduce the risk of infection, promote healing, and decrease the likelihood of complications.
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