After initializing a steroid nebulizer treatment for an asthmatic client in respiratory distress, which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?
Explanation & Rationale
Choice A reason: Elevating the head of the bed to 90 degrees is crucial for clients in respiratory distress. This position helps to maximize lung expansion, improve breathing, and alleviate respiratory effort. It provides immediate support to enhance oxygenation and ventilation.Choice B reason: Monitoring pulse oximetry is important for assessing the client's oxygenation status but should be done continuously rather than every 2 hours in a client in respiratory distress.Choice C reason: Determining exposure to asthmatic triggers is relevant for long-term management but not the immediate priority in an acute situation where the client is in respiratory distress.Choice D reason: Teaching the proper use of a rescue inhaler is essential but should be done after stabilizing the client's condition. The immediate focus should be on interventions that provide rapid relief from respiratory distress.