A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of mucolytics prescribed to a client with upper respiratory symptoms. Which assessment finding indicates positive outcomes?
The client experiences drowsiness following mucolytic administration.
The client requires supplemental oxygen to maintain oxygen saturation.
The client complains of persistent dry cough with scant mucus production.
The client reports easier clearance of mucus and improved breathing.
The Correct Answer is D
A. The client experiences drowsiness following mucolytic administration: Drowsiness is not a therapeutic goal of mucolytic therapy and may indicate a side effect or a different pharmacological interaction. Mucolytics like acetylcysteine are designed to alter the physical properties of mucus rather than induce sedation. This finding would be an adverse or unrelated outcome.
B. The client requires supplemental oxygen to maintain oxygen saturation: The need for supplemental oxygen suggests that gas exchange is severely compromised, possibly by worsening pulmonary congestion or inflammation. If a mucolytic were effective, airway patency should improve, potentially reducing the need for exogenous oxygen. This finding indicates clinical deterioration rather than success.
C. The client complains of persistent dry cough with scant mucus production: Mucolytics are intended to thin thick, tenacious secretions to make them easier to expectorate. A persistent dry cough suggests that secretions are either absent or remain too viscous to be moved. This outcome indicates the therapy has not achieved the desired liquefaction of mucus.
D. The client reports easier clearance of mucus and improved breathing: The primary mechanism of mucolytics is the cleavage of disulfide bonds in mucoproteins to reduce sputum viscosity. Successful treatment is evidenced by the patient's ability to mobilize and expel secretions with less effort. This directly leads to improved airway diameter and more efficient ventilation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Increased reliance on untested medications:Evidence-based practice (EBP) specifically seeks to eliminate the use of untested or unproven therapies. It mandates that all interventions be supported by rigorous scientific data and clinical trials. This increases patient safety by ensuring that medications have a proven efficacy and safety profile.
B. Increased use of trial-and-error methods:Trial-and-error is the antithesis of EBP, as it relies on unsystematic attempts rather than proven research. EBP reduces the uncertainty of clinical decision-making by providing a structured framework based on the best available data. It moves nursing away from guesswork toward standardized, high-quality care.
C. Improvement in patient outcomes and care quality:By utilizing interventions that have been scientifically validated, EBP ensures that patients receive the most effective treatments available. This leads to faster recovery times, fewer complications, and a higher standard of clinical excellence. It is the primary driver of modern healthcare improvement.
D. Reduction in healthcare costs only:While EBP can lead to cost savings by reducing ineffective treatments and hospital stays, its primary focus is on the quality of patient care. Financial benefits are a secondary positive outcome of improved clinical efficiency. The core benefit remains the enhancement of the patient's health and safety.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Increase intake of processed foods:Processed foods are typically high in sodium and low in essential micronutrients like potassium. High sodium intake can further exacerbate electrolyte imbalances and impact blood pressure regulation. These foods provide no therapeutic benefit for a patient requiring potassium replacement.
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B. Restrict fluid intake:Fluid restriction is generally used for patients with hyponatremia or fluid volume overload, not hypokalemia. Restricting fluids can lead to hemoconcentration and does not assist in the regulation of intracellular potassium levels. It is an inappropriate intervention for this specific electrolyte deficit.
C. Increase intake of bananas, oranges, and spinach:These specific foods are dense in elemental potassium, which is vital for maintaining the resting membrane potential of cardiac and skeletal muscle. Increasing dietary intake of these items helps naturally restore serum potassium levels to the normal range of 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. This is the safest first-line dietary intervention.
D. Avoid foods high in magnesium:Magnesium is a necessary cofactor for the sodium-potassium pump; low magnesium often makes hypokalemia harder to correct. Patients with low potassium should often ensure adequate magnesium intake to facilitate potassium retention. Avoiding magnesium would be counterproductive to correcting the electrolyte imbalance.
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