A patient with poor airway clearance due to thick secretions should be encouraged to do which of the following?

Encouraging a patient with poor airway clearance due to thick secretions to drink fluids at frequent intervals is particularly beneficial because adequate hydration helps to thin the secretions. When secretions are less viscous, they can be more easily mobilized and cleared from the airways, improving overall airway patency and respiratory function. Sufficient fluid intake also supports the body's general physiological processes, which is critical for recovery, especially in a patient suffering from respiratory issues.

While other options may also be relevant to a patient's overall care, they do not directly address the issue of thick secretions in the same way. For instance, ambulation can be important for mobility and respiratory function but may not specifically assist with secretions. The use of an incentive spirometer is a helpful tool for promoting lung inflation and preventing atelectasis but does not necessarily aid in the thinning of secretions. Titrating oxygen to maintain adequate saturation levels is crucial for addressing hypoxemia; however, it does not target airway clearance directly. Thus, promoting fluid intake emerges as the most effective strategy for improving airway clearance in this context.