A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the parents of a child who is starting to use a spacer with a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) to treat asthma. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

A. Saving the sputum specimen in a clean container.

While it is important to collect the sputum specimen in a clean, sterile container, simply saving the specimen in a clean container is not sufficient. The nurse needs to actively collect the sputum specimen from the client using proper technique to ensure that it is not contaminated and is suitable for laboratory analysis.

B. Collecting the sputum specimen after a meal.

Collecting a sputum specimen after a meal is not recommended, as it can increase the likelihood of contamination with food particles. It's preferable to collect the specimen before meals or at least 1-2 hours after eating to minimize the risk of contamination and ensure the integrity of the specimen.

C. Rinse the client's mouth before collecting the specimen.

When obtaining a sputum specimen from a client, it's important for the nurse to plan to rinse the client's mouth before collecting the specimen. Rinsing the mouth with water helps to clear any food particles or debris from the oral cavity, ensuring that the sputum sample collected is not contaminated with saliva or food particles. This improves the quality and accuracy of the specimen for laboratory analysis.

D. Obtaining the specimen from the client in the evening.

The timing of specimen collection is not necessarily restricted to the evening. The timing may vary depending on the client's condition and the healthcare provider's orders. It's important to follow the healthcare provider's instructions regarding the timing of specimen collection, which may be based on factors such as the client's symptoms and the diagnostic requirements.

A. Oral mucosa:

The oral mucosa, including the inside of the mouth, tongue, and lips, is a reliable indicator of cyanosis. Cyanosis appears as a bluish discoloration of these tissues due to decreased oxygen saturation in the arterial blood. Assessing the oral mucosa is an essential component of clinical examination, especially in patients with respiratory conditions like asthma, as it provides valuable information about oxygenation status.

B. Tip of the nose:

While the tip of the nose may exhibit cyanosis in some cases, it is not considered as reliable of an indicator as the oral mucosa. The nasal tip is more susceptible to external factors such as cold temperatures or poor circulation, which can cause temporary discoloration. Therefore, it may not always accurately reflect the oxygenation status of the patient compared to the oral mucosa.

C. Ear lobes:

Cyanosis may be observed in the ear lobes in cases of severe hypoxemia, but it is not as reliable of an indicator as the oral mucosa. The ear lobes are less commonly assessed for cyanosis compared to other areas such as the lips, nail beds, or oral mucosa. While cyanosis may be present in the ear lobes, it is not typically the primary site assessed for oxygenation status.

D. Eyelids:

Cyanosis is not typically observed in the eyelids and is not considered a reliable indicator of hypoxemia. The eyelids are not commonly assessed for cyanosis during clinical examinations. While the conjunctiva (the lining inside the eyelids) may appear pale in cases of severe anemia, it is not a specific sign of hypoxemia. Assessment of the oral mucosa, lips, and nail beds is preferred for evaluating oxygenation status in patients with respiratory conditions like asthma.