Med Surg CH.28, Nursing Management: Lower Respiratory Problems- Lower Respiratory Tract Infections and Disorders EXAM WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS

Med Surg CH.28, Nursing Management: Lower Respiratory Problems- Lower Respiratory Tract Infections and Disorders EXAM WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS What is the priority nursing intervention in helping a patient expectorate thick lung secretions? 1. Humidify the oxygen as able 2. Administer cough suppressant q4hr 3. Teach patient to splint the affected area 4. Increase fluid intake to 3 L/day if tolerated - ANS4. Increase fluid intake to 3 L/day if tolerated Although several interventions may help the patient expectorate mucus, the highest priority should be on increasing fluid intake, which will liquefy the secretions so that the patient can expectorate them more easily. Humidifying the oxygen also is helpful, but is not the primary intervention. Teaching the patient to splint the affected area also may be helpful in decreasing discomfort, but does not assist in expectoration of thick secretions. The patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been diagnosed with Candida albicans, an opportunistic infection. The nurse knows the patient needs more teaching when the patient say