| Equipment and Patient Preparation |
| Clinical standards for procedures and interventions. |
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| Patient Evaluation |
| Assesses Vital Signs. |
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| Requests information from patient regarding recent sputum production (amount, consistency, color). |
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| Assessment and Implementation |
| Positions patient appropriately for condition and accommodates limitations (e.g., upright or semi-Fowler's). |
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| Instructs patient in proper cough technique and use of support device (splinting, pillow, rolled towel). |
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| Instructs patient in effective use of diaphragm and cough effort; emphasizes forceful abdominal muscle contraction. |
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| Instructs patient in serial coughing techniques. |
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| Coaches patient in Forced Expiratory Technique (huff cough). |
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| Repeats cough or airway clearance maneuvers as indicated/tolerated. |
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| Collects and examines sputum for amount, consistency, and color. |
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| Evaluates patient performance and provides additional instruction as necessary. |
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| Discontinues treatment if adverse reaction occurs; monitors patient and notifies appropriate personnel. |
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| Follow-Up |
| Post-Intervention Management Steps. |
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