HESI RN Exit Exam 2023 Related

Review HESI RN Exit Exam 2023 related questions and content

When planning care for a 10-year-old child with pneumonia receiving oxygen at 5l/min per nasal cannula, what principle of oxygen administration should the nurse consider?

  • A. Avoid administration of oxygen at high levels for extended periods.
  • B. Increase oxygen flow rate if the child is still tachypneic.
  • C. Reduce oxygen levels gradually after symptoms improve.
  • D. Humidify the oxygen to prevent drying of mucous membranes.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct principle of oxygen administration to consider is to avoid administering oxygen at high levels for extended periods. High levels of oxygen for prolonged periods can lead to oxygen toxicity, especially in pediatric patients. Increasing the oxygen flow rate based on tachypnea may not be necessary and can potentially lead to oxygen toxicity. Gradually reducing oxygen levels after symptoms improve may compromise the child's oxygenation. While humidifying oxygen is important to prevent drying of mucous membranes, the primary concern in this case is to avoid high oxygen levels for an extended duration to prevent oxygen toxicity.