Ineffective Airway Clearence

[studentnurse92]

Hello, we had a question on our test today and a lot of us are split on it. The question was: Which is a sign of Ineffective Airway Clearance?

A: Green Thick Mucus

B. Dry, Nonproductive cough

I chose B, Because If a cough is non-productive it is not expelling the mucus as it should. Green thick mucus means you are expelling the mucus therefore your airway would be clear.

What would you choose?

[MissyNik]

My first question is what are the other answer choices? Just 2? I would go with "B" because they aren't effective in bringing up any mucus at all...... and in "A" they are at least bringing up something even though its thick and green.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Since I don't have the other 2, I would choose B; A is a potential sign of infection (along with other s/s).

[Beeks]

I'm inclined to want to choose "A". The answer "green thick mucus" doesn't mean that they have a strong cough necessarily. Though they're obviously getting something up (because you know what it looks like), that doesn't mean they're not still at risk for an occluded airway, moreso because the mucus is considered "thick".

I would assume that a "dry, NP cough" means that they don't have anything to bring up.

Just my two cents. It's a tricky quiestion!!!

[MissyNik]

I'm inclined to want to choose "A". The answer "green thick mucus" doesn't mean that they have a strong cough necessarily. Though they're obviously getting something up (because you know what it looks like), that doesn't mean they're not still at risk for an occluded airway, moreso because the mucus is considered "thick".

I would assume that a "dry, NP cough" means that they don't have anything to bring up.

Just my two cents. It's a tricky quiestion!!!

Ok I feel you on that Beeks.............

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I'm inclined to want to choose "A". The answer "green thick mucus" doesn't mean that they have a strong cough necessarily. Though they're obviously getting something up (because you know what it looks like), that doesn't mean they're not still at risk for an occluded airway, moreso because the mucus is considered "thick".

I would assume that a "dry, NP cough" means that they don't have anything to bring up.

Just my two cents. It's a tricky quiestion!!!

But then again, there is no question, two answers are removed, so we don't get the whole picture.

[pookyp, LPN]

I'm inclined to want to choose "A". The answer "green thick mucus" doesn't mean that they have a strong cough necessarily. Though they're obviously getting something up (because you know what it looks like) that doesn't mean they're not still at risk for an occluded airway, moreso because the mucus is considered "thick". I would assume that a "dry, NP cough" means that they don't have anything to bring up. Just my two cents. It's a tricky quiestion!!![/quote']

Took the words out of my mouth. I would have chosen A also.