A patient with a history of adrenal insufficiency has been admitted to the intensive care unit due to an acute adrenal crisis.

The patient is experiencing nausea and joint pain.

The patient’s vital signs are as follows: temperature of 102 F (38.9° C), heart rate of 138 beats/minute, and blood pressure of 80/60 mm Hg. What is the first intervention the nurse should implement?

Choice A rationale

Encouraging the client to participate in a team sport for one hour might be beneficial for the client’s physical health, but it might not be the most important intervention for a client with severe depression who spends most of the day sitting and watching television.
Choice B rationale
Assisting the client in developing a list of daily affirmations can be a helpful strategy for improving self-esteem and promoting positive thinking, but it might not be the most important intervention for a client with severe depression who spends most of the day sitting and watching television.
Choice C rationale
Scheduling the client for a group session that focuses on self-esteem can be beneficial for the client’s mental health, but it might not be the most important intervention for a client with severe depression who spends most of the day sitting and watching television.
Choice D rationale
Helping the client in identifying goals for the day can be a very effective intervention for a client with severe depression. Setting daily goals can provide the client with a sense of purpose and can help to motivate the client to engage in activities other than sitting and watching television.

Choice A rationale
The absence of coarse crackles is not necessarily an indication that chest physiotherapy (CPT) has been effective for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Coarse crackles are often heard in conditions where there is fluid in the airways, such as pneumonia or heart failure. While their absence might indicate that there is no fluid in the airways, it does not necessarily mean that secretions have been effectively mobilized.
Choice B rationale
An increase in breath sounds is a good indication that chest physiotherapy (CPT) has been effective for a client with COPD3. CPT is a group of therapies designed to improve respiratory efficiency, promote expansion of the lungs, strengthen respiratory muscles, and eliminate secretions from the respiratory system. When these secretions are effectively mobilized and removed, breath sounds can become clearer and more easily heard.
Choice C rationale

The absence of fine crackles is not necessarily an indication that CPT has been effective for a client with COPD. Fine crackles are often heard in conditions where there is fluid in the airways or alveoli, such as pneumonia or heart failure. While their absence might indicate that there is no fluid in the airways or alveoli, it does not necessarily mean that secretions have been effectively mobilized.
Choice D rationale
An increase in respiratory rate is not necessarily an indication that CPT has been effective for a client with COPD. In fact, an increased respiratory rate could indicate respiratory distress, which could suggest that the therapy has not been effective or that the client’s condition has worsened.