Question

a nurse is caring for a client who is having difficulty breathing. the client is lying in bed and is already receiving oxygen therapy via nasal cannula. which of the following interventions is the nurses priority? a increase the oxygen flow. b assist the client to fowlers position. c promote removal of pulmonary secretions. d obtain a specimen for arterial blood gases.

Explanation:

When a client has difficulty breathing (even with nasal cannula oxygen), Fowler's position (sitting upright) maximizes lung expansion. Increasing oxygen flow (A) may not address the root - cause if the issue is mechanical (e.g., poor lung expansion). Promoting removal of pulmonary secretions (C) is important but not as immediate as improving lung expansion. Obtaining arterial blood gases (D) is a diagnostic step, but the priority is an immediate intervention to ease breathing.

Answer:

B. Assist the client to Fowler's position.