A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a child who has streptococcal pharyngitis about ways to prevent disease transmission. Which of the following responses by the parents indicates an understanding of the teaching?

A humidifier bottle adds moisture to the oxygen, which prevents drying and irritation of the nasal mucosa

and enhances gas exchange.

a. Remove the nasal cannula while the client eats. This is not advisable, as the client may become hypoxic during eating, especially if they have pneumonia and impaired lung function. The nurse should monitor the client's oxygen saturation and respiratory status during meals and adjust the oxygen delivery device as needed.

c. Secure the oxygen tubing to the bed sheet near the client's head. This is not safe, as it can cause entanglement, dislodgement, or kinking of the tubing, which can compromise oxygen delivery and cause injury to the client.

d. Apply petroleum jelly to the nares as needed to soothe mucous membranes. This is not recommended, as petroleum products can ignite in the presence of oxygen and cause burns or fire. A water-based lubricant should be used instead.

Answer: A

Rationale:

A) Administering a nebulized beta-adrenergic:

In the case of an acute asthma exacerbation, administering a nebulized beta-adrenergic agonist (such as albuterol) is the highest priority. These medications act quickly to relax bronchial smooth muscle, dilate airways, and improve airflow. This intervention directly addresses the underlying bronchospasm and helps to alleviate the acute symptoms of asthma.

B) Providing immediate rest for the client:

While rest is important in managing an acute asthma exacerbation, it is not the immediate priority. Addressing the airway obstruction with appropriate medications is crucial for stabilizing the client's condition before focusing on comfort measures such as rest.

C) Positioning the client in high-Fowler's:

Positioning the client in a high-Fowler's position can help improve lung expansion and facilitate breathing. However, this action is secondary to administering medication that can relieve the acute symptoms of bronchoconstriction. The medication should be administered first to rapidly address the exacerbation.

D) Initiating oxygen therapy:

Oxygen therapy might be necessary if the client shows signs of hypoxemia or severe respiratory distress. However, the immediate priority is to address the bronchospasm with a nebulized beta-adrenergic agonist to improve airflow. Once the acute bronchospasm is managed, oxygen therapy can be implemented if needed to support oxygen saturation.