# A hospice client with advanced lung cancer is experiencing severe dyspnea at rest, with an oxygen saturation of 89% on room air. The client appears anxious and has audible wheezing. The nurse must prioritize comfort-focused interventions. Which nursing actions are appropriate for comfort-focused care? Select all that apply. > source: MyMerci (mymerci.kr) > url: https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=558424&lang=en > language: en > subject: Personal Hygiene > category: BCC ## Question A hospice client with advanced lung cancer is experiencing severe dyspnea at rest, with an oxygen saturation of 89% on room air. The client appears anxious and has audible wheezing. The nurse must prioritize comfort-focused interventions. Which nursing actions are appropriate for comfort-focused care? Select all that apply. 1 Increase the client's oxygen flow rate to improve saturation levels. 2 Administer a prescribed opioid to alleviate dyspnea and improve comfort. 3 Reassure the client and provide emotional support to reduce anxiety. 4 Teach the family about the importance of maintaining a calm environment. 5 Position the client in a semi-Fowler's position to enhance lung expansion. 6 Perform deep suctioning to clear secretions and ease breathing. ## Explanation In hospice care, the focus is on the client's comfort and quality of life. Administering prescribed opioids can relieve dyspnea effectively, while reassurance helps manage anxiety, which can worsen breathing difficulties. Positioning the client appropriately also aids in respiratory comfort. However, increasing oxygen levels without a comprehensive assessment may not be necessary and could detract from comfort care principles. Educating the family is important, but it does not address the immediate needs of the client. Lastly, deep suctioning can increase distress and is not aligned with the goals of comfort care. ## In-depth explanation Correct Answer Choices 2, 3, 5 Clinical Reasoning In hospice care, the focus is on the client's comfort and quality of life. Administering prescribed opioids can relieve dyspnea effectively, while reassurance helps manage anxiety, which can worsen breathing difficulties. Positioning the client appropriately also aids in respiratory comfort. However, increasing oxygen levels without a comprehensive assessment may not be necessary and could detract from comfort care principles. Educating the family is important, but it does not address the immediate needs of the client. Lastly, deep suctioning can increase distress and is not aligned with the goals of comfort care. Option Review - Incorrect — Positioning the client in a semi-Fowler's position can facilitate better lung expansion and improve respiratory comfort, making it a suitable intervention. - Correct — Administering a prescribed opioid is appropriate as it can effectively alleviate dyspnea and enhance the client's comfort during distressing episodes. - Correct — Providing reassurance and emotional support is essential for reducing anxiety, which can exacerbate the client's perception of dyspnea and discomfort. - Incorrect — Teaching the family about maintaining a calm environment is beneficial but is secondary to immediate comfort measures for the client. - Correct — Increasing the oxygen flow rate without assessing the client's overall condition may not align with comfort-focused care, as it could lead to unnecessary interventions. - Incorrect — Performing deep suctioning may cause additional distress and discomfort, which contradicts the principles of comfort-focused care. Sources 12026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan 2NCI: Last Days of Life supportive care ## Clinical scenario A hospice client with advanced lung cancer is experiencing severe dyspnea at rest, with an oxygen saturation of 89% on room air. The client appears anxious and has audible wheezing. The nurse must prioritize comfort-focused interventions. ## Related questions - [A hospice nurse is planning pain management for a client with metastatic cancer who can ta…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=363998&lang=en) - [A nurse is creating a pressure injury prevention plan for an immobile older adult admitted…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=366392&lang=en) - [A dying client's family asks to perform meaningful spiritual and cultural rituals at the b…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=368302&lang=en) - [A nurse cares for family members after a loved one is told that an illness is terminal. 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