NCLEX Practice Test

What is the most important initial intervention for managing dyspnea in hospice clients?

1. Administering anxiolytics for anxiety

2. Administering low-flow oxygen by nasal cannula

3. Providing a fan to improve airflow

4. Administering prescribed opioids

The correct answer is: Administering anxiolytics for anxiety

For managing dyspnea in hospice clients, the most important initial intervention focuses on addressing the underlying causes of discomfort and enhancing the patient's overall quality of life. In this context, administering prescribed opioids is widely recognized as a highly effective measure to alleviate dyspnea. Opioids can help reduce the sensation of breathlessness by altering the perception of respiratory discomfort. This is especially relevant in hospice care, where the goal is to relieve suffering and improve the patient's comfort in their final stages of life. Patients with advanced disease may experience significant respiratory distress due to various pathologies, and opioids can effectively decrease the work of breathing and provide symptomatic relief. It's important to note that other interventions, such as administering oxygen or providing a fan, may have a place in the management of dyspnea; however, they often do not provide the same level of symptomatic relief as opioids do in this specific setting. Therefore, utilizing prescribed opioids stands out as the most critical initial approach when managing dyspnea in hospice care clients, prioritizing effective pain and symptom control.