Which action would the nurse take first for a patient with a tracheostomy who appears anxious and is having difficulty in coughing up thick respiratory secretion?

A. Have the client refrain from talking for 24 hr: The client only needs to refrain from talking until the anesthesia wears off, usually within an hour. There is no need to refrain from talking for 24 hours.
B. Withhold food and liquids until the client's gag reflex returns: This is the correct action. Following a bronchoscopy, the local anesthetic used can suppress the gag reflex. It is crucial to wait until the gag reflex returns to prevent aspiration when the client eats or drinks. C. Irrigate the client's throat every 4 hr: There is no indication to irrigate the throat routinely. The priority is to ensure that the gag reflex has returned before allowing oral intake.
D. Suction the client's oropharynx frequently: Suctioning is only necessary if the client is unable to clear their secretions or has difficulty breathing. It is not a standard post-procedure intervention.

A. Obtain a prescription for supplemental oxygen: This is the correct answer. The patient is experiencing hypoxia, and ensuring adequate oxygenation is the priority. Oxygen supplementation is essential to correct the hypoxia, which can exacerbate metabolic disturbances like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Improving oxygenation will also support other treatments, such as insulin administration, by improving tissue perfusion.
B. Obtain a prescription to administer insulin: While insulin is a key treatment for DKA, addressing hypoxia first is more urgent. Hypoxia can impair the effectiveness of insulin and other therapies, so stabilizing the patient’s oxygen levels should be prioritized before insulin administration.
C. Obtain a prescription to administer intravenous fluids: Administering fluids is important in DKA management, especially for rehydration and correcting electrolyte imbalances. However, addressing hypoxia first is the priority to stabilize the patient and ensure optimal perfusion for further interventions like fluid resuscitation.
D. Obtain a prescription to check the client's glucose level: This is not necessary, as the glucose level is likely already elevated, which is characteristic of DKA. The focus should be on stabilizing the patient's airway and oxygenation before monitoring glucose levels or starting insulin.