Which oxygen delivery device is best suited for a patient who requires a precise concentration of oxygen?

A. Obtain the patient's vital signs:While monitoring vital signs is important, especially for detecting hypovolemia or underlying causes like hypertension, it is not the immediate priority. The nurse must first attempt to control the bleeding to prevent aspiration and continued blood loss.

B. Apply a cold compress to the patient's facial area:Cold compresses can help constrict blood vessels and reduce bleeding, but they are supportive measures. They should be done afterprimary pressure techniques have been initiated, not as the first-line intervention.

C. Firmly pack the nostril with saline soaked gauze:Nasal packing is typically a secondary measure used when direct pressure fails to stop the bleeding. It is more invasive and usually performed by trained personnel if conservative measures are ineffective.

D. Instruct the client to sit forward and pinch the nose below the nasal bone:Sitting forward prevents blood from flowing into the throat and airway, while pinching the soft part of the nose applies direct pressure to the bleeding vessels, which often successfully stops epistaxis.

A. Have the client lean over an over-the-bed table:This position is sometimes used during posterior thoracic examination or for percussing lung fields, but it is not standard for routine chest auscultation. Most chest sounds can be assessed with the client sitting upright or lying down.

B. Use the bell of the stethoscope held lightly against the chest:The bell is best for detecting low-pitched sounds like some heart murmurs, not respiratory sounds. Lung sounds are higher-pitched and require use of the diaphragm for accurate auscultation.

C. Use the diaphragm of the stethoscope held firmly against the chest:This is the correct technique for auscultating lung sounds, which are typically high-pitched. Holding the diaphragm firmly ensures clear transmission of breath sounds such as crackles, wheezes, or rhonchi.

D. Instruct the client to take deep, rapid breaths through their nose:Deep breathing is appropriate during auscultation, but it should be done through the mouth. Breathing through the nose may reduce air entry and obscure abnormal sounds, making it harder to detect lung pathology.