A dying older patient has dyspnea, which causes anxiety. What action by the nurse is best?

a. Provide oxygen for a saturation less than 90%.
b. Provide a cool fan to blow on the patient.
c. Administer prescribed morphine sulfate.
d. Administer a prescribed bronchodilator.


C
Morphine sulfate is often used for dyspnea and has the added benefit of slight sedation, which will help this patient's anxiety. Providing oxygen based on saturations does nothing for the pa-tient's distress; the patient may feel short of breath, even with an oxygen saturation of 100%. A cool fan may help. There is no indication that the patient needs a bronchodilator. IF the patient has wheezing, this would be appropriate.

Nursing

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