A patient has just been diagnosed with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The nurse is aware that both acute lung injury (ALI) and ARDS patients often require which priority intervention?
1. Placement on a mechanical ventilator
2. Preparation of a living will
3. Frequent hydration with ice chips
4. Frequent suctioning to keep the airway clear
1
Rationale 1: ALI and ARDS patients usually require mechanical ventilation to support their respiratory status.
Rationale 2: Both ALI and ARDS are serious disorders, but preparation of a living will is not a priority.
Rationale 3: Ice chips may make the patient more comfortable, or the patient may not be able to tolerate them. This is an individual intervention and is not the nurse's current priority.
Rationale 4: ALI and ARDs patients may require frequent suctioning, but some do not. This is a patient-specific intervention.
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