Nokea
Prior to performing percussion, vibration, and postural drainage on an adolescent client with pneumonia, which of the following nursing actions should the nurse complete first?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Auscultate lung fields. Before performing percussion, vibration, and postural drainage on a client with pneumonia, it is essential to assess the current condition of the lungs through auscultation. This step provides valuable information about the areas of congestion, lung sounds, and overall respiratory status. By auscultating first, the nurse can determine the appropriate areas to target and assess the effectiveness of the interventions.
Assessing pulse and respirations (B) is important but does not directly guide the specific interventions needed for pneumonia. Assessing the characteristics of the sputum (C) is relevant but not as crucial as directly assessing the lung fields. Instructing the client to exhale with pursed lips (D) is not a priority before assessing the lung fields.