The nurse provides discharge instructions to a patient who was hospitalized for pneumonia. Which statement, if made by the patient, indicates a good understanding of the instructions?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: "I will continue to do deep breathing and coughing exercises at home." This statement shows good understanding as these exercises help prevent complications like pneumonia recurrence. Choice A is incorrect because feeling tired after a week is a vague symptom. Choice C is incorrect as scheduling two vaccine appointments is unnecessary. Choice D is incorrect as canceling a follow-up chest x-ray can lead to missed complications.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Rinse your mouth after using this inhaler. The nurse should emphasize this instruction to prevent oral thrush, a common side effect of inhaled corticosteroids. Rinsing the mouth helps to remove any residual medication that can lead to fungal overgrowth. A: Using the inhaler during acute asthma attacks is not appropriate as this combination inhaler is indicated for chronic bronchitis, not for acute asthma exacerbations. C: Taking the medication only when symptoms occur is incorrect as these medications should be used regularly to control symptoms in chronic bronchitis. D: Shaking the inhaler before use is a common instruction for inhalers, but it is not the most crucial instruction for this particular combination inhaler.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because using the peak flow meter only when feeling short of breath may not provide an accurate assessment of lung function. The peak flow meter should be used regularly to monitor lung function, not just when symptoms are present. Option A is correct as exhaling forcefully ensures an accurate reading. Option C is correct as recording the highest reading is recommended for tracking progress. Option D is correct as using the meter before and after medications helps evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer a prescribed bronchodilator. This is the first intervention because it helps to relieve bronchoconstriction and improve airflow, addressing the immediate symptom of dyspnea in COPD. Bronchodilators act quickly to open up the airways, providing prompt relief. B: Increasing oxygen flow rate may be necessary, but addressing bronchoconstriction with a bronchodilator should come first. C: Assessing arterial blood gases is important for evaluating oxygenation status, but administering a bronchodilator should be the initial action for immediate relief of dyspnea. D: Encouraging pursed-lip breathing is a helpful technique for managing dyspnea in COPD, but administering a bronchodilator is the priority to address the underlying bronchoconstriction causing the increased dyspnea.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Assess for kinks or obstructions in the tubing. This is the best action because lack of drainage in the collection chamber could indicate a blockage in the tubing, preventing proper drainage. By assessing for kinks or obstructions first, the nurse can identify and address the issue causing the lack of drainage. Repositioning the patient may not address the underlying problem, clamping the chest tube could cause a tension pneumothorax, and removing the chest tube without addressing the cause could lead to complications.