Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 77%
Simulated
The nurse is caring for a client who is 3 hours post-operative following a right lobectomy for lung cancer. The client has shallow respirations at a rate of 14/minute with guarding of the operative site. The breath sounds are diminished throughout the left lung field. The nurse assigns the highest priority to which intervention to prevent acute respiratory failure?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
Adequate pain relief is critical to promote deep breathing and prevent shallow respirations, reducing the risk of atelectasis and respiratory failure.