A nurse is caring for a large group of patients. She checks on her post-op patient and starts the IV fluids. While programing the pump the nurse is interrupted by another staff member. Three two hours later the nurse rounds and finds that the patient is short of breath, requiring more oxygen and has crackles in her lungs.

The nurse then realizes that the IV fluids were running at twice the ordered rate. What should the nurse do next?

A. Place the client in semi-Fowler’s position:

While the semi-Fowler's position can be helpful in assessing respiratory function, it is not specifically required for measuring the respiratory rate. The key is to ensure the client is comfortable and able to breathe easily.

B. Have the client rest an arm across the abdomen:

Placing the arm across the abdomen is not a standard practice for measuring respiratory rate. The key is to allow the client to breathe naturally, and this position is not necessary for accurate measurement.

C. Observe one full respiratory cycle before counting the rate:

This ensures that the count is accurate and reflective of the client's typical breathing pattern.

D. Count the rate for 30 seconds if it is irregular:

When measuring the respiratory rate, it is generally recommended to count for a full minute to obtain an accurate representation of the client's breathing pattern. Counting for 30 seconds may underestimate or overestimate the rate, especially if the irregularity is not consistent.

E. Count and report any sighs the client demonstrates:

Sighs can be indicative of emotional or physiological stress, and noting them is important for a comprehensive respiratory assessment.

A. Lub-dub sounds:

This describes the normal heart sounds, with the "lub" representing the closing of the mitral and tricuspid valves (S1) and the "dub" representing the closing of the aortic and pulmonic valves (S2). This is the typical and expected sound of a healthy heart.

B. Gentle blowing or swooshing noise:

This describes the characteristic sound of a heart murmur. Murmurs are abnormal sounds caused by turbulent blood flow, and they are often described as a gentle blowing or swooshing noise heard between the normal heart sounds.

C. Scratchy, leathery heart noise:

This description is not typical for heart sounds or murmurs. Heart sounds are usually described in terms of tones, clicks, or swooshing rather than scratchy or leathery.

D. Abrupt, high-pitched snapping noise:

This description is not typical for heart sounds or murmurs. Heart murmurs are generally characterized by a more continuous, blowing, or swooshing quality, rather than abrupt, high-pitched snapping noises.