Free Medical Surgical Certification Practice Questions Related

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A client had a bronchoscopy 2 hours ago and asks for a drink of water. Which action should the nurse take next?

  • A. Call the healthcare provider to request a prescription for food and water.
  • B. Provide the client with ice chips instead of a drink of water.
  • C. Assess the client's gag reflex before giving any food or water.
  • D. Let the client have a small sip to assess swallowing ability.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Assess the client's gag reflex before giving any food or water. After a bronchoscopy, the client may have an impaired gag reflex due to the numbing agent used during the procedure. Assessing the gag reflex is crucial to prevent aspiration and ensure the client can safely swallow without the risk of choking or inhaling fluids. This step is essential before offering any food or water to the client.

Option A is incorrect because calling the healthcare provider for a prescription is unnecessary at this point. Option B is incorrect because ice chips can still pose a risk if the client's gag reflex is impaired. Option D is incorrect as allowing the client to have a sip without assessing the gag reflex first could lead to complications if the client is unable to swallow properly.