Question

A patient is admitted for a suspected inhalation injury. What should the nurse emphasize when caring for this patient?

1) Increase oral fluids
2) Turn in bed every two hours
3) Monitor strict intake and output
4) Deep breathing and coughing every hour

Answer 1

When caring for a patient with a suspected inhalation injury, the nurse should emphasize monitoring strict intake and output, as well as encouraging deep breathing and coughing exercises every hour to maintain airway patency.

Step-by-step explanation:

When caring for a patient admitted with a suspected inhalation injury, it is essential that the nurse emphasizes several crucial aspects of care. First of all, monitoring strict intake and output is critical to ensure the patient's fluid balance is maintained and to detect any signs of renal complications. Additionally, the nurse should encourage the patient to perform deep breathing and coughing exercises every hour to help keep the airways clear and reduce the risk of respiratory complications. Turning the patient in bed every two hours could be important to prevent pressure ulcers and promote lung expansion if the patient has mobility issues.