A nurse is caring for a client who is recovering from a bronchoscopy. Select the area the nurse should assess before giving the client ice chips or fluids. (You will find hot spots to select in the artwork below. Select only the hot spot that corresponds to your answer.)

A. "VRE is transmitted through the air by coughing and sneezing.": VRE is not airborne; it spreads primarily through direct contact with contaminated surfaces or hands of healthcare workers. Airborne precautions are not required for this organism.

B. "VRE infection requires health care workers to wear an N95 respirator.": N95 respirators are required for airborne pathogens such as tuberculosis, not for VRE. Contact precautions, including gloves and gowns, are used for preventing transmission of VRE.

C. "VRE infection is treated with vancomycin antibiotics.": Vancomycin-resistant enterococci are resistant to vancomycin by definition, so other antibiotics such as linezolid or daptomycin are used instead. Treating with vancomycin would be ineffective.

D. "VRE is a common cause of health care-associated infections.": VRE is a significant pathogen in healthcare settings, often causing bloodstream, urinary tract, and wound infections. It is considered a common cause of health care–associated infections due to its resistance and ease of spread.

A. Throat/Pharynx area: The gag reflex must be checked before giving fluids. Anesthetics used during bronchoscopy suppress the gag and cough reflex, which places the client at high risk of aspiration. Assessing the throat for return of reflexes ensures safe swallowing.

B. Head/Brain area: Assessing the brain is not necessary prior to resuming oral intake after bronchoscopy. Neurological function is important overall, but it does not determine whether the swallowing reflex has returned and if the client can safely manage oral fluids.

C. Mouth/Lips: Examining the lips or oral cavity may reveal dryness, bleeding, or trauma, but it does not determine readiness for fluids. The risk of aspiration persists unless gag reflex recovery is confirmed.

D. Chest/Lungs area: Assessing lung sounds is important for evaluating complications such as bronchospasm or pneumothorax, but this does not confirm readiness for oral intake. Aspiration risk remains the main concern until gag reflex recovery is established.