The nurse is caring for a patient who has a right-sided chest tube after a right lower lobectomy. Which nursing action could the nurse delegate to the assistive personnel (AP)?

Choice A reason: Sweat chloride tests diagnose CF, not manage dyspnea in a known patient. It’s irrelevant here, as the focus is treating acute respiratory symptoms, not reconfirming an established diagnosis in this scenario.

Choice B reason: Low-sodium diets aren’t indicated for CF; patients need high salt due to losses. Dyspnea stems from mucus obstruction, not fluid, so this intervention contradicts CF physiology and symptom management.

Choice C reason: Chest physiotherapy clears mucus in CF, improving airflow and reducing dyspnea. It targets the primary cause—thick secretions—enhancing lung function, a standard intervention coordinated with respiratory therapy for acute exacerbations.

Choice D reason: Hospice is premature for dyspnea in CF without end-stage decline. It’s inappropriate now, as active interventions like physiotherapy address reversible symptoms, prioritizing treatment over palliative care planning.

Choice A reason: Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, blocks angiotensin II formation, relaxing arteries and reducing blood pressure. It directly treats hypertension by decreasing vascular resistance and preload, a first-line therapy supported by its systemic vasodilatory effects.

Choice B reason: Metformin manages type 2 diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake. It doesn’t affect blood pressure directly, targeting metabolic pathways instead, so it’s not a hypertension treatment despite cardiovascular risk benefits.

Choice C reason: Hydralazine dilates arterioles by relaxing smooth muscle, directly lowering blood pressure. Used in hypertension, especially in crises, it reduces afterload, making it a potent antihypertensive agent when rapid control is needed.

Choice D reason: Aspirin prevents platelet aggregation, reducing thrombotic risk in cardiovascular disease. It doesn’t lower blood pressure directly, acting as an antiplatelet rather than an antihypertensive, so it’s not a primary treatment for hypertension.

Choice E reason: Amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, relaxes vascular smooth muscle, decreasing peripheral resistance. It directly treats hypertension by dilating arteries, improving blood flow, and reducing cardiac workload, a common and effective long-term therapy.