Chapter 39: Oxygenation and Perfusion

Which teaching about the humidifier is important for the nurse to provide to a client using oxygen?

It decreases dry mucous membranes via delivering small water droplets. The humidifier produces small water droplets that are delivered during oxygen administration to decrease dry mucous membranes. The oxygen analyzer measures the percentage of delivered oxygen to determine whether the client is receiving the prescribed amount. The flowmeter is a gauge used to regulate the amount of oxygen that a client receives. The provider prescribes concentration.

The nurse is caring for a postoperative client who has a prescription for meperidine 75 mg intramuscularly (IM) every 4 hours as needed for pain. Before and after administering meperidine, the nurse would assess which most important sign?

Respiratory rate and depth The client receiving narcotics/opioids needs monitoring of the respiratory rate and depth to ensure that respiratory depression does not result in progressive respiratory issues, physiologic damage from respiratory depression, or loss of consciousness. The pulse, blood pressure, and urinary intake and output are not as important as respiratory status when administering narcotics.

A client has been put on oxygen therapy because of low oxygen saturation levels in the blood. What should the nurse use to regulate the amount of oxygen delivered to the client?

flow meter The nurse should use a flow meter to regulate the amount of oxygen delivered to the client. A flow meter is a gauge used to regulate the amount of oxygen delivered to the client and is attached to the source of oxygen. An oxygen analyzer is a device that measures the percentage of delivered oxygen to determine if the client is receiving the amount prescribed by the physician. An adhesive nasal strip increases the nasal diameter and promotes easier breathing. A nasal cannula is a hollow tube used for delivering a small concentration of oxygen. However, these devices are not used to regulate the amount of oxygen delivered to the client.

The nurse is caring for a client who is diagnosed with Impaired Gas Exchange. While performing a physical assessment of the client, which data is the nurse likely to find, keeping in mind the client's diagnosis?

high respiratory rate A client diagnosed with Impaired Gas Exchange has difficulty in breathing, so the nurse is likely to find a high respiratory rate. As a compensatory mechanism to impairment in gas exchange, the peripheral temperature drops, and the pulse rate and blood pressure increase.

The nurse prepares to apply the pulse oximeter to the client's hand. The fingers are edematous, cool to touch, and have black nail polish. Which actions should the nurse take? Select all that apply.

- Assess mental status. - Remove black nail polish and assess circulation. - Use alternate site: earlobe or bridge of nose. - Auscultate lungs