A resident develops a new cough and is bringing up thick green sputum, different from yesterday. What should the assistant do?

• A.Give the resident leftover cough medicine to try
• B.Tell the resident all coughs resolve without care
• C.Report the new cough and sputum color change to the nurse
• D.Chart that breathing is completely normal today

Why

A new cough with a change in sputum color or amount is a reportable change in condition. Assistants report observations and do not give medication.

Content outline: Basic Nursing Skills - Observing and Reporting Changes · From the Basic Nursing Skills practice bank (BN-071).

Practice this domain as a full test

More Observing & Reporting Changes in Condition questions

• A normally alert resident is suddenly hard to wake and answers questions with confusion. What should the assistant do?
• During morning care the assistant notices a new reddened area over a resident's heel and a small blister forming. What is the correct action?
• Which entry is an example of objective information?
• Which entry is an example of subjective information?
• A resident is breathing with effort, using shoulder muscles, and says, 'I can't catch my breath.' What should the assistant do?