A nurse should identify which of the following as ways to make a positive impact in reducing health disparities in the clients they care for?

A. Proper oral hygiene is crucial for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), which is a common complication in ventilated patients. The bundle often includes instructions on how to perform mouth care to reduce the risk of bacterial colonization in the oral cavity and subsequent aspiration into the lungs.
B. Tracheostomy care, including suctioning as needed, is important to maintain airway patency and prevent complications like mucus plugging. However, specific instructions for suctioning frequency (e.g., every 2 hours) may vary based on the patient's clinical condition and the presence of secretions. It is not universally part of the ventilator care bundle but is an essential component of managing patients with tracheostomies.
C. Correct ventilator settings are critical to support adequate oxygenation and ventilation while minimizing lung injury. Nurses should be knowledgeable about how to monitor and adjust ventilator settings based on the patient's respiratory status. Education on ventilator settings may be included in

training related to mechanical ventilation management, but it is not typically part of a standardized ventilator care bundle.
D. The position of the patient can affect ventilation and respiratory mechanics. In the context of ventilator care, positioning recommendations may include elevating the head of the bed (semi-Fowler's position) to reduce the risk of aspiration and improve lung expansion. Placing the client in a supine position alone is not specific to the ventilator care bundle but may be considered based on the patient's clinical condition.

A. Hoarseness or changes in voice quality is one of the hallmark symptoms of laryngeal cancer. It occurs due to the tumor affecting the vocal cords or surrounding structures. Hoarseness is often persistent and does not resolve with voice rest or usual treatments for laryngitis.
B. Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, can occur in laryngeal cancer, especially if the tumor affects the structures involved in swallowing. However, dysphagia typically occurs later in the course of the disease as the tumor grows and obstructs the passage of food or liquids.
C. Weight loss can be a symptom of advanced laryngeal cancer but is less commonly reported as an early manifestation. Significant weight loss may occur as a result of difficulty eating due to dysphagia or as a generalized effect of cancer on the body.
D. Dyspnea, or difficulty breathing, is not typically an early manifestation of laryngeal cancer unless the tumor is large and obstructs the airway. It is more commonly associated with advanced disease or tumors that have spread to nearby structures.