The home care nurse visits a client with compromised lung function. The client has greenish yellow sputum with a musty odor. Which assessment is the priority for the
Auscultate bilateral breath sounds.
Obtain blood culture for tuberculosis.
Request pulmonary function studies.
Document the findings.
The Correct Answer is A
The client's greenish-yellow sputum with a musty odor may indicate an infection, such as pneumonia or bronchitis, which can affect the client's lung function. By auscultating bilateral breath sounds, the nurse can assess for the presence of abnormal lung sounds, such as crackles or wheezing, which may indicate further respiratory compromise.
While obtaining a blood culture for tuberculosis (option b) may be appropriate in certain circumstances, the client's sputum color and odor do not necessarily indicate tuberculosis as the cause of their respiratory symptoms.
Requesting pulmonary function studies (option c) may also be beneficial in assessing the client's lung function, but this is not the priority assessment in this situation.
Finally, while documenting the findings (option d) is an important aspect of nursing care, it is not the priority action when the client is presenting with signs of compromised lung function.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Deep breathing or "diaphragmatic breathing" is a technique used to prevent recurrent pneumonia and improve lung function. During deep breathing, the patient is instructed to inhale deeply, expanding their lung volume as much as possible. This process is called inspiration.
Expiration, on the other hand, is the process of exhaling or breathing out air from the lungs. Intake refers to the process of taking in air or breathing in, while chest is a part of the body where the lungs are located.

Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Respiratory alkalosis is a condition in which the blood pH is elevated due to a decrease in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood. This can occur when a person breathes too rapidly or deeply (hyperventilation), causing them to exhale too much CO2. In this option, the pH is elevated (normal range is 7.35-7.45), the CO2 is low (normal range is 35-45 mmHg), and the bicarbonate (HCO3) level is within the normal range (22-26 mEq/L), which are all consistent with respiratory alkalosis.

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