The oxygen saturation on a client with acute infective bronchitis drops to 84%, and he develops severe dyspnea. There is a standing order for a handheld nebulizer (HHN) treatment PRN for shortness of breath, and respiratory therapy is designated to give all respiratory treatments in the facility. When the nurse calls the respiratory therapist, he states that he has several more treatments to give and should be there in 10 or 15 minutes. Select the action by the nurse that would be most appropriate at this time.
A)Increase the flow rate of the client's oxygen until the respiratory therapist can arrive.
B)Call the respiratory therapist back and insist that he come NOW.
C)Go ahead and give the HHN treatment by herself.
D)Give the client a prescribed PRN sedative to reduce anxiety.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Given the urgency of the situation with the client's oxygen saturation dropping to 84% and the development of severe dyspnea, the nurse should prioritize the immediate need for intervention. Although respiratory therapy is designated to give all respiratory treatments, the nurse's primary responsibility is to the client's safety and well-being. In this critical situation, waiting for the respiratory therapist could endanger the client's health, so the nurse should administer the handheld nebulizer (HHN) treatment to address the acute respiratory distress.

The Oxygen Saturation on a Client with Acute Infective Bronchitis