I've got another practice NCLEX question-can anyone help me out?

beth66335, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2010

Which nursing action is inappropriate for a client recovering from general anesthesia?
A) encourage coughing and deep breathing
B) suction to remove excessive respiratory secretions
C) position the client supine with neck flexed forward
D) auscultate the client's lungs
Why is © positioning the client supine with neck flexed forward the answer to this question? I thought that was appropriate? I thought the answer would be (B) but really have no idea why... help!

Placing the patient with the neck flexed forward implies chin to chest positioning. This isn't a good position for an adequate airway. (A) ensures the patient breaths deeply enough clear secretions, to prevent Pneumonia, (B) suctioning helps the patient that hasn't regained the ability to adequately remove their own secretions yet and (D) ensures that the nurse catches any signs of Pneumonia setting in quickly.

Matt285907 · Feb 16, 2010

Thank you so much! That's very helpful - I guess I didn't realize they meant the chin touching the chest. Thanks.

beth66335, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2010

Well, it might not be completely touching but forward flexing still closes off the airway to some extent.

jrdavao · Feb 26, 2010

If u notice that C is the odd answer that has nothing to do airway..... This is one way to answer a question if u don't know the answer.

CuriousMe · Feb 26, 2010

Thank you so much! That's very helpful - I guess I didn't realize they meant the chin touching the chest. Thanks.

Even if you think of basic CPR (another time that someone might not be in complete control of their airway), what do you always do before giving a breath?

Tilt their head back, because it opens the airway. So, even if their chin isn't touching their chest, if they're supine and the neck is flexed forward at all, it can close off the airway.