RN Exam Practice
Basic Care and ComfortQuestion 289 of 2368

A dying client has noisy breathing from terminal secretions, and the family is distressed. Which intervention should the nurse use?

  1. Perform deep suctioning of the mouth and throat to remove the secretions
  2. Lay the client flat on their back to help the secretions drain
  3. Reposition the client on their side and give the prescribed anticholinergic
  4. Give the prescribed opioid at a higher dose to stop the noisy breathing
Show answer

Correct answer: Reposition the client on their side and give the prescribed anticholinergic

Anticholinergics such as atropine or scopolamine dry secretions, and side-lying position helps. Suctioning is not typically effective and can increase distress.

Source: Nursing Fundamentals, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2024), Grief and Loss: Terminal Secretions. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Basic Care and Comfort"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026