A nurse is preparing to administer cefadroxil oral suspension to a client. The available concentration is cefadroxil 250 mg/5 mL. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Choice A reason: Inhaling through the mouth is not the primary focus of coughing and deep breathing exercises, which emphasize deep inhalation (often through the nose) to expand alveoli. Mouth breathing may reduce efficiency, as nasal breathing filters air and optimizes lung expansion, making this an incorrect instruction for preoperative teaching.

Choice B reason: Holding the breath for 5 seconds after a deep inhalation sustains lung expansion, promoting alveolar gas exchange and preventing atelectasis. This technique strengthens respiratory muscles and clears secretions, critical for postoperative recovery. It is a key component of coughing and deep breathing exercises to maintain pulmonary health.

Choice C reason: Exhaling through the nose is not typically emphasized in coughing and deep breathing exercises. Effective coughing requires forceful exhalation through the mouth to expel secretions and clear airways. Nasal exhalation is less effective for this purpose, making this an incorrect instruction for preoperative pulmonary care.

Choice D reason: Repeating coughing exercises every 2 hours is a general guideline, but the focus is on frequency while awake (e.g., every 1-2 hours). The exact timing depends on the client’s condition, and the technique’s effectiveness relies more on proper breathing and coughing methods, making this less critical than breath-holding.

Choice A reason: The Healthy People initiative does not primarily focus on utilizing health data from the past 20 years. While it uses data to inform goals, its core purpose is to set forward-looking, evidence-based health objectives for the U.S. population. Historical data supports trend analysis, but the initiative emphasizes decade-long goals to improve health outcomes, not retrospective data collection.

Choice B reason: The Healthy People initiative, led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, establishes measurable health objectives for Americans every decade. It sets evidence-based goals to improve public health, reduce disparities, and promote disease prevention and health promotion, addressing issues like chronic diseases, maternal health, and access to care, tailored to national health priorities.

Choice C reason: The Healthy People initiative does not focus solely on nonmodifiable risk factors, such as genetics or age. Instead, it emphasizes modifiable risk factors, like smoking or physical inactivity, to promote preventable health improvements. While it acknowledges nonmodifiable factors, its objectives target actionable interventions to enhance population health outcomes across diverse communities.

Choice D reason: The Healthy People initiative is U.S.-centric and does not primarily track global health trends. Its focus is on national health priorities, setting objectives to address domestic health challenges, such as obesity or mental health. Global health trends may inform contextual understanding, but the initiative’s scope is limited to improving health outcomes within the United States.