To assess for fluid in the pleural space, which lung assessment technique should a nurse prioritize?

A. High-dose glucocorticoids:These are potent anti-inflammatory pharmacological agents used to treat acute exacerbations of autoimmune or inflammatory conditions. They are not classified as nonpharmacological techniques and carry significant long-term risks like osteoporosis and hyperglycemia. Their use is strictly biochemical rather than behavioral or physical.

B. Immediate surgical intervention:Surgery is an invasive medical procedure intended to correct anatomical defects or pathological lesions. It is the antithesis of nonpharmacological therapy and is often the last resort for chronic pain management. It involves significant physiological stress and potential postoperative complications.

C. IV fluids:Intravenous hydration is a medical intervention used to correct electrolyte imbalances or maintain hemodynamic stability. It has no therapeutic role in the modulation of chronic nociceptive or neuropathic pain pathways. It is a physiological support measure rather than a pain management modality.

D. Mindfulness meditation:This cognitive technique encourages non-judgmental awareness of the present moment, which modulates the emotional response to persistent pain. It can reduce the activation of the amygdala and improve the patient's functional coping mechanisms. It is a validated evidence-based nonpharmacological approach for chronic pain.

A. Improved kidney function:Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is a cation-exchange resin that works within the gastrointestinal tract and does not have a direct therapeutic effect on the nephrons. While lowering potassium can prevent cardiac complications of renal failure, the drug itself does not reverse underlying kidney pathology. It is a symptomatic treatment for electrolyte imbalance.

B. Decreased serum potassium levels:This medication works by exchanging sodium ions for potassium ions across the intestinal mucosa, which are then excreted in the feces. The primary therapeutic goal is the significant reduction of potentially cardiotoxic extracellular potassium levels. It is a standard intervention for managing non-emergent hyperkalemia.

C. Increased bowel motility:While the drug can sometimes be administered with a laxative to prevent impaction, its primary pharmacological mechanism is ion exchange, not peristaltic stimulation. In some cases, it can actually cause constipation if not managed correctly. Increased motility is a side effect or secondary effect rather than the primary anticipated outcome.

D. Elevated serum sodium levels:Because the resin releases sodium in exchange for potassium, a modest increase in serum sodium can occur as a side effect. However, this is a secondary consequence that the nurse monitors for safety rather than a goal they anticipate as a therapeutic success. The focus remains on the reduction of potassium.