Practice HESI Fundamentals Exam Related

Review Practice HESI Fundamentals Exam related questions and content

How should a healthcare professional care for a client approaching death with shortness of breath and noisy respirations?

  • A. Turn the client every 2 hours
  • B. Provide supplemental oxygen
  • C. Use a fan to reduce the feeling of breathlessness
  • D. Administer diuretics as prescribed
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In a palliative care setting, when caring for a client approaching death with symptoms of shortness of breath and noisy respirations, using a fan can help alleviate the sensation of breathlessness. This intervention can provide comfort by improving air circulation and reducing the perception of breathlessness. Turning the client every 2 hours may not directly address the respiratory distress caused by noisy respirations. Providing supplemental oxygen may not be indicated or effective in all cases, especially in end-of-life care where the focus is on comfort rather than aggressive interventions. Administering diuretics as prescribed would not be appropriate for addressing noisy respirations and shortness of breath in a dying client, as this may not be related to fluid overload or congestion. Therefore, the most appropriate action to help the client feel more comfortable in this situation is to use a fan to reduce the feeling of breathlessness.