Final answer:
In the focused data collection process for symptoms of a cold, cough, and lung congestion, the nurse would include auscultating lung sounds, obtaining the client's temperature, and obtaining information about the client's respirations.
Step-by-step explanation:
When performing a focused data collection process on a client with symptoms of a cold, cough, and lung congestion, certain assessments are crucial. The nurse would include the following:
- Auscultating lung sounds to detect any abnormal breath sounds, such as wheezing, crackles, or decreased breath sounds which can indicate conditions like pneumonia or bronchitis.
- Obtaining the client's temperature because fever is a common symptom of infection and can provide insight into the severity of the illness.
- Obtaining information about the client's respirations, including rate and quality, to assess for respiratory distress or hypoxia.
The focus is on assessments that provide immediate information about the respiratory system and potential infections. Checking peripheral pulses, performing a musculoskeletal and neurological examination, and asking about family history of illness may be relevant for a comprehensive assessment but are not typically included in a focused respiratory assessment.