What is the priority intervention for a patient experiencing an asthma attack?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer albuterol via inhaler. Albuterol is a bronchodilator that helps open the airways during an asthma attack, providing quick relief. This intervention addresses the underlying issue of bronchoconstriction, improving airflow and oxygenation. Other choices are not the priority: B could potentially worsen the condition by diluting the inspired oxygen with room air, C may not directly address the airway obstruction, and D, while helpful for managing symptoms, does not directly target bronchoconstriction during an acute attack.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer prescribed pain medication. Pain can inhibit deep breathing post-thoracotomy, leading to decreased breath sounds and potential complications. Addressing pain first allows the patient to take deep breaths with the incentive spirometer effectively. Encouraging shallow breathing (Choice C) may worsen atelectasis. Assisting with an incentive spirometer (Choice B) should follow pain management. Repositioning (Choice D) may not directly address the primary issue of incisional pain.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because pursed-lip breathing is a technique commonly used by patients with COPD to improve breathing efficiency by slowing down exhalation and keeping airways open. This helps to reduce air trapping and improve oxygen exchange. Option B is incorrect because pursed-lip breathing is not primarily used for anxiety reduction. Option C is incorrect as it doesn't directly relate to pursed-lip breathing. Option D is incorrect because pursed-lip breathing is a preventive technique rather than a response to acute shortness of breath.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Standard four-drug therapy for TB. In this scenario, the nurse has a positive TB skin test but no symptoms or chest x-ray findings. This suggests latent TB infection. The standard treatment for latent TB infection is a four-drug therapy regimen to prevent the progression to active TB. It is essential for the occupational health nurse to educate the staff nurse about this treatment to prevent the development of active TB disease. Choice A (Use and side effects of isoniazid) is incorrect because while isoniazid is part of the treatment regimen for latent TB infection, the nurse needs to be educated about the full four-drug therapy regimen, not just one drug. Choice C (Need for annual repeat TB skin testing) is incorrect as the positive TB skin test already indicates latent TB infection, so repeat skin testing annually is not necessary. Choice D (Reasons for annual sputum cytology testing) is incorrect because sputum cytology testing is not

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Monitor the patient's respiratory rate. This is the priority nursing intervention because anticoagulant therapy can lead to potential bleeding complications, such as pulmonary embolism. Monitoring the patient's respiratory rate helps assess for signs of bleeding or clot formation in the lungs, which are critical to address promptly. A: Monitoring INR levels is important but not the priority over assessing for immediate complications. B: Increasing fluid intake may be beneficial for some conditions but is not the priority in this case. D: Administering an antifungal medication is unrelated to anticoagulant therapy and not a priority intervention.