A nurse is assisting in the plan of care for a client showing signs of pneumonia. Which of the following nursing actions should be included?

A. Encourage fluid intake of 1500 mL/day: Although fluids help thin respiratory secretions, a fluid intake of only 1500 mL/day may be insufficient. Clients with pneumonia are often encouraged to consume at least 2,000–3,000 mL/day unless contraindicated, to better promote secretion clearance. B. Obtain a sputum culture: Collecting a sputum culture early is crucial to identify the causative organism and guide targeted antibiotic therapy. This should be done before starting antibiotics to ensure accurate results. C. Position the client prone: The prone position is generally used for clients with severe ARDS to improve oxygenation. For most pneumonia patients, the semi-Fowler’s or upright position is preferred to facilitate lung expansion and ease breathing. D. Cough and deep breathe every 6 hours: Coughing and deep breathing are important for clearing secretions, but performing them only every 6 hours is inadequate. These exercises should typically be done every 1–2 hours while awake to effectively prevent atelectasis and promote lung clearance.