Question

A nurse is caring for a client. The nurse is planning care for a client. Same patient as 42 and 43.

1000:
Client has productive cough with yellow mucous. Could barely breathe when he got up this morning and had a throbbing headache. Client is diaphoretic, crackles heard in posterior lungs.

Diagnostic Results:
Sodium 150 mEq/L (136-145)
BUN 24 mg/dL (10-20)
WBC count 12,000/mm3 (5,000-10,000)
Chest X-ray reveals increased opacity in the bilateral posterior lobes.

VS:
Temperature 38.6C (101.5F)
Respiratory rate 24/min
Oxygen saturation 88% on room air

Potential prescription is anticipated, nonessential, or contraindicated. (A N C)

1) Cough and deep breathe every 2 hr.
2) Perform neurological checks every 2 hr
3) Famotidine 40 mg PO daily
4) Acetaminophen 500 mg PO every 6 hr as needed
5) Administer oxygen at 3 L/min via nasal cannula
6) Limit the client's fluid intake to 1,500 mL per day
7) Obtain a sputum culture and sensitivity.

Answer 1

In this case, the client is presenting with symptoms of a respiratory infection, possibly pneumonia. Potential prescriptions to consider include cough and deep breathing, acetaminophen for headache and fever relief, administering oxygen, and obtaining a sputum culture for identification of the pathogen causing the infection.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this case, the client is presenting with symptoms of a respiratory infection. The productive cough with yellow mucous, difficulty breathing, and headache are indicative of an infection in the respiratory system. The crackles heard in the posterior lungs and the increased opacity in the bilateral posterior lobes on the chest X-ray further suggest a respiratory infection, possibly pneumonia.

Given the client's symptoms and diagnostic results, some potential prescriptions can be considered:

1. Cough and deep breathe every 2 hr - This would help clear the excess mucus from the lungs and improve breathing.
2. Perform neurological checks every 2 hr - This is not directly related to the respiratory infection and may not be necessary at this point.
3. Famotidine 40 mg PO daily - Famotidine is used to reduce stomach acid and is not directly related to the respiratory infection.
4. Acetaminophen 500 mg PO every 6 hr as needed - Acetaminophen can help relieve the headache and reduce fever.
5. Administer oxygen at 3 L/min via nasal cannula - This would help improve oxygen saturation in the blood and relieve respiratory distress.
6. Limit the client's fluid intake to 1,500 mL per day - This is not directly related to the respiratory infection and may not be necessary at this point.
7. Obtain a sputum culture and sensitivity - This is recommended to identify the specific pathogen causing the infection and guide appropriate treatment.

Based on the options, options 1, 4, 5, and 7 are the most relevant and essential in managing the client's respiratory infection.