A nurse is providing dietary advice to a client at risk for hypokalemia. Which food should the nurse recommend for inclusion in the client’s diet?

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.

Choice A rationale: Using a resuscitation bag with 80% oxygen prior to the procedure is inappropriate. While pre-oxygenation is important before suctioning to prevent hypoxia, the oxygen concentration should be 100%, not 80%. Normal oxygen saturation levels are 95% to 100%. Pre-oxygenating with 100% oxygen ensures the patient maintains adequate oxygenation during the brief suctioning period. Using 80% oxygen does not fully optimize oxygen reserves for this purpose.

Choice B rationale: Selecting a suction catheter that is half the size of the tracheostomy lumen is appropriate. This size prevents excessive occlusion of the airway, ensuring adequate airflow during suctioning. The correct catheter size minimizes trauma to the tracheal mucosa and prevents hypoxia. The catheter should not exceed 50% of the tracheostomy diameter to maintain proper airway function, making this the correct action for safe and effective suctioning.

Choice C rationale

Placing the end of the suction catheter in water-soluble lubricant is not recommended. This could introduce bacteria into the airway and increase the risk of infection.

Choice D rationale

Adjusting the wall suction apparatus to a pressure of 170 mm Hg is not correct. The recommended suction pressure for adults is usually between 80 and 120 mm Hg. Suctioning at too high a pressure can cause trauma to the airway.