Question

The nurse evaluates that discharge teaching for a patient hospitalized with pneumonia has been effective when the patient makes which statement about measures to prevent a relapse?

A. "I will seek immediate medical treatment for any upper respiratory infections."
B. "I should continue to do deep breathing and coughing exercises for at least 12 weeks."
C. "I will increase my food intake to 2400 calories a day to keep my immune system well."
D. "I must have a follow-up chest x-ray in 6 to 8 weeks to evaluate the pneumonia's resolution."

Answer 1

The patient should seek immediate medical treatment for any upper respiratory infections to prevent a relapse of pneumonia.

Step-by-step explanation:

To prevent a relapse of pneumonia, the patient should seek immediate medical treatment for any upper respiratory infections. This is because upper respiratory infections can potentially worsen and lead to a relapse of pneumonia.

Continuing to do deep breathing and coughing exercises for at least 12 weeks is not necessary to prevent a relapse of pneumonia. These exercises are typically done during the acute phase of pneumonia to improve lung function and clear secretions, but they are not specifically aimed at preventing a relapse.

Increasing food intake to 2400 calories a day to keep the immune system well is not a measure to prevent a relapse of pneumonia. While maintaining good nutrition is important for overall health, it does not specifically prevent a relapse of pneumonia.

Having a follow-up chest x-ray in 6 to 8 weeks to evaluate the pneumonia's resolution is an important measure to monitor the progress of pneumonia, but it does not directly prevent a relapse.