A nurse is caring for a patient who has been prescribed nebulized Acetylcysteine for thick respiratory secretions. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to ensure effective secretion clearance after administration of the medication?
Instruct the patient to limit their fluid intake
Perform chest physiotherapy
Instruct the patient to avoid coughing to prevent airway irritation
Administer a bronchodilator
The Correct Answer is B
A. Instruct the patient to limit their fluid intake: Limiting fluids can worsen secretion thickness and impair mucociliary clearance. Hydration is essential for thinning secretions and supporting the action of mucolytics like Acetylcysteine.
B. Perform chest physiotherapy: Chest physiotherapy, including percussion and postural drainage, helps mobilize loosened secretions following Acetylcysteine administration. This facilitates airway clearance and improves ventilation and oxygenation.
C. Instruct the patient to avoid coughing to prevent airway irritation: Coughing is a natural and beneficial response that helps expel mucus after mucolytic therapy. Inhibiting the cough reflex can lead to secretion retention and airway obstruction.
D. Administer a bronchodilator: While bronchodilators may be helpful in patients with bronchospasm, they are not required after every dose of Acetylcysteine. Chest physiotherapy is more directly effective in clearing mucus after mucolytic administration.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["31"]
Explanation
Total volume to be infused = 750 mL
Total infusion time = 4 hours
Convert hours to minutes: 4 hours × 60 minutes/hour = 240 minutes
Drop factor = 10 gtt/mL
- Calculate the total number of drops needed:
Total drops (gtt) = Total volume (mL) × Drop factor (gtt/mL)
= 750 mL × 10 gtt/mL
= 7500 gtt
- Calculate the flow rate in drops per minute (gtt/min):
Flow rate (gtt/min) = Total drops (gtt) / Total infusion time (minutes)
= 7500 gtt / 240 minutes
= 31.25 gtt/min
- Round to the nearest whole number:
Rounding 31.25 to the nearest whole number gives 31.
= 31 gtt/min.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. "I will need to take this medication for several weeks before noticing its full effects.": Buspirone is an anxiolytic that works by modulating serotonin and dopamine receptors. Unlike benzodiazepines, it has a delayed onset of action, typically requiring 2–4 weeks of consistent use to achieve its full therapeutic benefit.
B. "If I don't feel better after one week, I will stop taking the medication.": Stopping Buspirone prematurely can prevent the medication from reaching its full effect. It requires patient adherence and time for therapeutic levels to build; discontinuation should only be under a provider’s guidance.
C. "I should feel less anxious within an hour of taking the first dose.": Buspirone does not provide immediate relief of anxiety symptoms. It is not effective for acute anxiety or panic attacks due to its slow onset and gradual buildup in the system.
D. "I can use this medication as needed when I feel a panic attack coming on.": Buspirone is not intended for PRN (as-needed) use. It must be taken on a scheduled basis to maintain steady blood levels and is not useful for rapid symptom relief in panic situations.
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