The nurse is performing an ongoing assessment on a client admitted to the post-anesthesia care unit at 1655 following abdominal surgery. The nurse documents vital signs every five minutes, as noted in the Vital Signs Record. After reviewing the vital sign trends and notifying the provider, the nurse should anticipate administering what medication?

A. Abdomen soft, surgical dressing has scant amount of old drainage: A soft abdomen and minimal old drainage from the surgical dressing are expected findings postoperatively. They do not indicate an immediate concern that requires prompt action.
B. Client ambulating with minimal assistance, complaints of occasional nausea: Ambulation and occasional nausea are common and generally expected postoperatively. These findings do not require urgent collaboration with the healthcare provider.
C. Crackles bilaterally in bases of lungs, has incisional pain: Crackles in the lungs can indicate fluid accumulation or atelectasis, which may lead to pneumonia or other respiratory complications. This finding, especially combined with recent surgery, requires prompt evaluation and intervention.
D. Temperature 99.4°F (37.4°C), pulse 100 bpm, bowel sounds present: A slightly elevated temperature and increased pulse are common after surgery. The presence of bowel sounds is a positive sign indicating the return of gastrointestinal function. These findings are not immediately concerning.

A. Discontinue use of supplemental oxygen: This option is incorrect because supplemental oxygen is used to increase the oxygen levels in the blood, which is not directly related to addressing respiratory acidosis. In respiratory acidosis, the problem is primarily with the elimination of CO2 rather than oxygenation.
B. Encouraging use of incentive spirometer: This is the correct choice as using an incentive spirometer helps improve lung expansion and promotes alveolar ventilation, which aids in reducing CO2 levels in the blood, thereby addressing respiratory acidosis.
C. Implement fluid restrictions: This option is not suitable because fluid restrictions do not directly address the underlying issue of respiratory acidosis. Fluid restrictions might be necessary for other conditions, but they are not effective in correcting respiratory acid-base imbalances.
D. Administering an antitussive agent: This is incorrect because antitussive agents suppress cough reflexes, which can be counterproductive. In respiratory acidosis, coughing is often a protective mechanism to help clear secretions, so suppressing it may worsen the acid-base imbalance.