Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) Practice Exam

What is an initial nursing intervention for a patient with altered respiratory function?

1. Administering sedatives

2. Encouraging coughing and deep breathing techniques

3. Providing supplemental oxygen

4. Performing chest physiotherapy

The correct answer is: Encouraging coughing and deep breathing techniques

Encouraging coughing and deep breathing techniques is a foundational nursing intervention for a patient experiencing altered respiratory function. This approach serves multiple purposes: it helps to clear secretions from the airways, promotes lung expansion, and enhances oxygenation. Deep breathing exercises are especially crucial as they increase lung volume and improve ventilation, which can mitigate the effects of shallow breathing sometimes seen in patients with respiratory issues. Coughing helps to mobilize and expel mucus obstructing the airways, facilitating better airflow and reducing the risk of complications such as atelectasis, which can further compromise respiratory function. While supplemental oxygen is also an essential intervention for patients with impaired oxygenation, it is typically used when there is a clear indication of hypoxia or when a patient is unable to maintain adequate oxygen levels through normal breathing alone. In this context, the active involvement of the patient in coughing and deep breathing is particularly beneficial for maintaining respiratory health in the early stages of care. Chest physiotherapy and the administration of sedatives may not be appropriate as initial interventions in cases of altered respiratory function. Sedatives can depress the respiratory drive, while chest physiotherapy is often reserved for specific conditions requiring mobilization of secretions and may not be suitable for all patients initially. Therefore,