A terminally ill client is reporting a sense of anxiety and dyspnea. T

A terminally ill client is reporting a sense of anxiety and dyspnea. The nurse’s initial intervention is to:

1. Assess the client’s vital signs and administer the prescribed antianxiety medica-tion
2. Determine the cause of the client’s dyspnea and provide both emotional and physical support
3. Position the client in a semi-Fowler’s position and provide supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula
4. Remain with the client and encourage him to express the concerns he is experi-encing regarding his death

ANSWER

ANS: 3
Position for comfort and maximal respiratory excursion, provide supplemental O2. Then provide comforting, reduce anxiety or fever; provide effective pain management as appropriate. The ini-tial intervention when a client is experiencing respiratory difficulties, no matter what the potential cause it to facilitate breathing through appropriate positioning and administration of oxygen.