Author Question: The nurse best maximizes an older adult's potential to avoid developing a postsurgical respiratory ... (Read 16 times)

Anajune7 · **on:** Jul 11, 2018

The nurse best maximizes an older adult's potential to avoid developing a postsurgical respiratory infection by

a. walking the patient to the bathroom in-stead of using the bedside commode.
b. encouraging compliance with prescribed antibiotic therapy.
c. evaluating the patient's ability to effec-tively cough and deep breathe.
d. offering fluids every hour while the pa-tient is awake.

Question 2

An older adult has been admitted for dehydration. Which laboratory value correlates with this condition?

a. Na+: 160 mEq/L
b. Na+: 128 mEq/L
c. K+: 3.5 mEq/L
d. K+: 5.2 mEq/L

mjbamaung · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 11, 2018

Answer to Question 1

C
Older adults have a decrease in the number and effectiveness of cilia in the tracheobronchial tree, which results in increasing difficulty clearing secretions. The other activities also help avoid ate-lectasis and infection, but evaluating the patient's ability to cough and deep breathe can indicate that other treatment measures may be needed postoperatively.

Answer to Question 2

A
A sodium level of Na+: 160 mEq/L is high and can be seen in cases of dehydration. Overhydra-tion will produce a low sodium level. Potassium levels are not related.