Question

A nurse in an urgent care clinic is caring for a client who has bronchitis with thick pulmonary secretions. The client's oxygen saturation level is 90% on room air. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Option 1: Administer a bronchodilator
Option 2: Initiate oxygen therapy
Option 3: Administer an antibiotic
Option 4: Perform chest physiotherapy

Answer 1

The first action a nurse should take for a client with bronchitis and an oxygen saturation level of 90% is to initiate oxygen therapy. This is to immediately address hypoxemia and ensure the client's oxygen levels are stabilized before considering further treatments like bronchodilators, antibiotics, or chest physiotherapy.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse caring for a client with bronchitis and thick pulmonary secretions, exhibiting an oxygen saturation level of 90% on room air, should first prioritize improving the oxygenation of the client. While options like administering a bronchodilator, an antibiotic, and performing chest physiotherapy may be beneficial at different stages of care, the immediate concern is the low oxygen saturation. Taking into account the principles of oxygen therapy, the first action should be to initiate oxygen therapy to address the hypoxemia. This intervention can help increase the oxygen saturation to normal levels and prevent further complications associated with low oxygen in the blood.

Antibiotics are primarily used if there's a bacterial infection; however, as bronchitis is commonly caused by a virus, they may not be needed in every case. Chest physiotherapy, while helpful in mobilizing secretions, is not the first-line intervention for hypoxemia. A bronchodilator is used to open airways but may be considered after stabilizing the oxygen levels. Thus, the priority is to administer oxygen to ensure adequate gas exchange in the lungs.