A nurse working in the PACU (post-anesthesia care unit)/recovery room unit is monitoring a patient whose vital signs were stable upon arrival from the operating room. The patient’s temperature began to rise steadily the past 20 minutes and continues to rise, the heart monitor shows sinus tachycardia with a rate of 122, the patient’s blood pressure is 86/42, and pulse ox is 88% on 2 L O2 via nasal cannula.
The nurse suspects which genetic condition?

Pursed-lip breathing is a technique that helps to slow down the breathing rate and keep the airways open longer. This improves gas exchange and reduces the work of breathing. Pursed-lip breathing also helps to prevent air trapping and hyperinflation of the lungs, which are common complications of COPD.

Choice B is wrong because laying down for 1 hour after meals can increase the pressure on the diaphragm and make breathing more difficult. It can also increase the risk of aspiration and reflux.

Choice C is wrong because restricting the client’s fluid intake to less than 1 L/day can lead to dehydration and thickening of secretions, which can obstruct the airways and impair gas exchange. Fluid intake should be adequate to maintain hydration and thin secretions.

Choice D is wrong because using the upper chest for respiration is a sign of inefficient breathing and respiratory distress.

It can increase the oxygen demand and cause fatigue. The client should be encouraged to use the diaphragm and abdominal muscles for respiration, which are more efficient and reduce the work of breathing.

Normal ranges for oxygen saturation are 95% to 100%, for arterial blood gas pH are 7.35 to 7.45, for PaCO2 are 35 to 45 mmHg, for PaO2 are 80 to 100 mmHg, and for HCO3 are 22 to 26 mEq/L.

These are some of the criteria used to assist in making the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) according to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2015 report.

Choice B is wrong because recent exposure to influenza is not a criterion for CFS diagnosis. Although some cases of CFS may be triggered by viral infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus or human herpes virus 6, there is no specific evidence that influenza causes CFS.

Choice A is correct because CFS is not caused by a primary condition. CFS is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that other possible causes of fatigue, such as sleep disorders, anemia, diabetes, thyroid problems, or mental health issues, must be ruled out before making the diagnosis.

Choice C is correct because unrefreshing sleep is one of the required symptoms for CFS diagnosis. Patients with CFS may not feel better or less tired even after a full night of sleep despite the absence of specific objective sleep alterations. Choice D is correct because fatigue that is not relieved by stress reduction is another required symptom for CFS diagnosis. Patients with CFS experience post-exertional malaise (PEM), which means that their symptoms worsen after physical, mental, or emotional exertion that would not have caused a problem before the illness.

Choice E is correct because severe tiredness for 2 months or more is one of the additional manifestations that must be present for CFS diagnosis. The IOM 2015 report states that the fatigue associated with CFS must last for more than 6 months and occur at least half the time at moderate, substantial or severe intensity.