A client admitted with hepatopulmonary syndrome is experiencing dyspnea but does not want oxygen increased because the client's nose keeps bleeding from it.The client becomes agitated when discussing this with the nurse.The client's oxygen saturation is 92%.What intervention by the nurse is best?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The client with hepatopulmonary syndrome is often dyspneic.Because the oxygen saturation is not significantly low,the nurse should first allow the client to sit upright to see if that helps.If the client remains dyspneic,or if the oxygen saturation drops further,the nurse should investigate adding humidity to the oxygen and seeing whether the client will tolerate that.The other two options may be beneficial,but they are not the best choices.If the client is comfortable,his or her agitation will decrease; this will improve respiratory status.

A Client Admitted with Hepatopulmonary Syndrome Is Experiencing Dyspnea but Does