A nurse is caring for a patient who has a respiratory infection.
What technique should the nurse use when performing nasotracheal suctioning for the patient?

Choice A rationale

While showering frequency can vary depending on the specific isolation precautions, it does not indicate understanding of the protective isolation precautions.

Choice B rationale

Informing friends and family to visit when feeling well does not indicate understanding of protective isolation precautions. Protective isolation precautions are designed to protect the patient from infections, not based on how the patient is feeling.

Choice C rationale

Taking a plane to visit grandchildren does not indicate understanding of protective isolation precautions. Travel restrictions would depend on the specific condition and doctor’s advice.

Choice D rationale

Wearing a face mask when leaving the hospital room is a common requirement in protective isolation precautions to prevent the spread of infections.

Choice A rationale

Tuberculosis is a serious infectious disease that affects the lungs. However, it does not typically cause lung hyperinflation.

Choice B rationale

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes. While it can cause symptoms similar to those described, it does not typically cause lung hyperinflation or localized pneumonia in the left upper lobe.

Choice C rationale

Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The client’s symptoms of a productive cough with thick yellow sputum, crackles in the left upper lobe, and decreased breath sounds at bases bilaterally are consistent with pneumonia. The chest x-ray showing left upper lobe pneumonia confirms this diagnosis.

Choice D rationale

Asthma is a condition in which a person’s airways become inflamed, narrow and swell, and produce extra mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe. While asthma can cause lung hyperinflation, it does not typically cause localized pneumonia in the left upper lobe.