The nurse is obtaining a health history for a client prior to a scheduled cholecystectomy. While interviewing the client, which assessment technique should the nurse use when asking about the client's use of illegal drugs and alcohol?

Choice A Reason:
Allowing the client to decline answering social questions is inappropriate. This approach respects the client's autonomy and privacy by giving them the option to decline answering questions they may feel uncomfortable or unwilling to discuss. However, for the purpose of ensuring comprehensive care and assessing potential risks associated with substance use, it's important for the nurse to gather relevant information about the client's use of illegal drugs and alcohol.
Choice B Reason:
Obtaining a drug urine screen to verify legitimacy of client's stated history is inappropriate. While obtaining a drug urine screen may provide objective information about recent drug use, it may not be indicated during the initial health history and may not accurately reflect the client's past substance use history. Additionally, relying solely on laboratory testing without actively engaging the client in open communication may hinder the development of trust and rapport between the client and the healthcare provider.
Choice C Reason:
Using the term illegal or illicit to describe street drugs is inappropriate. Using the terms "illegal" or "illicit" may carry negative connotations and could potentially stigmatize the client's substance use. This approach may create barriers to open communication and may not accurately capture the client's experiences or perceptions regarding their substance use. Additionally, it's important to use language that is respectful and nonjudgmental when discussing sensitive topics such as substance use.
Choice D Reason:
Asking specifically about alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and amounts is appropriate. This approach is the most appropriate because it directly addresses the substances of concern and allows for comprehensive assessment of the client's substance use history. By asking specifically about commonly used substances and their amounts, the nurse ensures that key information is gathered in a respectful and nonjudgmental manner, facilitating open communication and accurate assessment of the client's needs.

Choice A Reason:
Syncope is incorrect. Syncope, or fainting, can occur in individuals experiencing severe respiratory distress or hypoxia. Pursed-lip breathing is often used as a technique to manage dyspnea and improve oxygenation, which can help prevent syncope by ensuring adequate ventilation and oxygen delivery to the body's tissues. However, syncope is not the primary concern associated with the observation of pursed-lip breathing; instead, it is a potential consequence of inadequate oxygenation.
Choice B Reason:
Acute pain is not directly related to the observation of pursed-lip breathing. Pursed-lip breathing is a technique used to manage dyspnea and improve ventilation efficiency in individuals with respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma exacerbation. While pain can exacerbate respiratory distress in some cases, the primary focus when observing pursed-lip breathing is to assess and address respiratory status rather than pain management.
Choice C Reason:
Tetany is incorrect. Tetany, characterized by muscle spasms due to low calcium levels, is not directly associated with the observation of pursed-lip breathing. Pursed-lip breathing is a respiratory technique used to manage dyspnea and improve ventilation in individuals with respiratory conditions such as COPD or asthma. While respiratory distress can lead to various physiological responses, tetany is not a typical manifestation observed in individuals using pursed-lip breathing.
Choice D Reason:
Dyspnea is correct. Pursed-lip breathing is a technique often used by individuals with respiratory conditions to relieve shortness of breath and improve breathing efficiency. The primary reason for using pursed-lip breathing is to help alleviate dyspnea, or difficulty breathing, by promoting more effective exhalation and preventing airway collapse during expiration. Monitoring for dyspnea is crucial in this situation to assess the client's respiratory status, including the severity of breathing difficulty and any associated symptoms, and to guide further interventions to address the underlying cause of dyspnea. While syncope (fainting), acute pain, and tetany (muscle spasms due to low calcium levels) are potential concerns in certain clinical contexts, they are not directly associated with the observation of pursed-lip breathing. Therefore, dyspnea is the most relevant problem for the nurse to monitor in this scenario.