Question

A nurse is providing for the hygiene and grooming needs of an obese client who easily becomes short of breath when moving about. Which nursing intervention is important?

1) Administering oxygen during provision of care
2) Maintaining the bed in a high-Fowler position
3) Assessing the client's response to the activity
4) Bathing areas that the client cannot reach
5) Providing rest periods every ten minutes

Answer 1

The most important nursing intervention for an obese client who gets short of breath is to assess the client's response to hygiene and grooming activities. Continuous monitoring allows for appropriate adjustments to care, prioritizing the patient's respiratory status and comfort.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse providing care for an obese client who easily becomes short of breath should prioritize several interventions to ensure proper hygiene and grooming without compromising the client's respiratory status. The important nursing intervention in this scenario would be assessing the client's response to the activity (option 3). Continuous monitoring allows the nurse to adjust the care plan in real-time, helping to prevent the exacerbation of shortness of breath and ensuring the patient is comfortable. This is particularly important given the patient's limited mobility and the potential impact on the cardiovascular system, such as decreased efficacy of the skeletal muscle pump, which might exacerbate symptoms like swollen feet, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Moreover, the rest of the options may be considered as the situation demands, such as providing rest periods every ten minutes (option 5) and bathing the areas that the client cannot reach (option 4). However, the administration of oxygen (option 1) and maintaining the bed in a high-Fowler position (option 2) may not be necessary unless the client's medical condition indicates such actions.