Difficulty: Medium

Average Score: 69%

The nurse aide is caring for a client with oxygen. Guidelines for safe oxygen therapy include:

Rationale

Observing the client's ears, cheeks, and nose for signs of skin irritation is essential in oxygen therapy.

Monitoring the skin around the areas where oxygen delivery devices contact the skin is crucial to prevent pressure sores and skin irritation. This practice ensures patient comfort and safety, which are key aspects of effective oxygen therapy.

A (maintaining a low water level in the humidity bottle.) YOUR ANSWER

While it is important to maintain appropriate humidity levels for patients receiving oxygen therapy, keeping a low water level can lead to inadequate humidification. Proper humidity is essential to prevent dryness and discomfort in the airways, thus ensuring optimal respiratory function.

B (adjusting the flow rate of the oxygen.) YOUR ANSWER

Adjusting the flow rate of oxygen should only be done based on a physician's orders or specific care protocols. Unauthorized changes can result in inadequate oxygen delivery or potential harm to the patient, making it a less appropriate guideline for safe oxygen therapy.

C (removing the client's face mask or nasal cannula when providing care.) YOUR ANSWER

Removing the oxygen delivery device while providing care can lead to significant drops in oxygen saturation levels, putting the patient at risk. It is important to keep the device in place and adjust care techniques to accommodate the oxygen therapy rather than removing it.

Conclusion

Effective oxygen therapy requires diligent monitoring of the patient's skin integrity, particularly around areas where devices come into contact with the skin. Observing for signs of irritation is vital to ensure patient safety and comfort. In contrast, maintaining low humidity, adjusting flow rates without orders, or removing oxygen delivery devices can compromise the effectiveness of therapy and put the patient at risk.

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