A nurse is caring for a female client in the emergency department who reports shortness of breath and pain in the lung area. She states that she started taking birth control pills 3 weeks ago and that she smokes. Her heart rate is 110/min, respiratory rate 40/min, and blood pressure 140/80 mm Hg. Her arterial blood gases are pH 7.50, PaCO2 29 mm Hg, PaO2 60 mm Hg, HCO3 20 mEq/L, and SaO2 86%. Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention?
Prepare to administer a sedative.
Prepare for mechanical ventilation.
Massage the calf area for tenderness.
Assess for indications of pulmonary embolism.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is d. Assess for indications of pulmonary embolism.
Choice A rationale:
Administering a sedative is not appropriate as the priority intervention. Sedatives can depress respiratory function, which is already compromised in this patient.
Choice B rationale:
Preparing for mechanical ventilation might be necessary if the patient’s condition worsens, but it is not the immediate priority. The priority is to identify the underlying cause of the symptoms.
Choice C rationale:
Massaging the calf area for tenderness is not relevant in this context. While calf tenderness can be a sign of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can lead to pulmonary embolism, the immediate priority is to assess for pulmonary embolism directly.
Choice D rationale:
Assessing for indications of pulmonary embolism is the priority because the patient’s symptoms (shortness of breath, chest pain, recent use of birth control pills, smoking history, and abnormal ABG values) strongly suggest a pulmonary embolism. Early identification and treatment are crucial to prevent further complications.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A: Encourage the patient to breathe in and out slowly into a paper bag.
Choice A rationale:The patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results indicate respiratory alkalosis, as evidenced by the elevated pH (7.48) and decreased PaCO2 (25 mm Hg). Respiratory alkalosis often results from hyperventilation, which can occur due to anxiety. Breathing into a paper bag helps to increase CO2 levels in the blood, thereby correcting the alkalosis.
Choice B rationale:Administering oxygen is not appropriate in this scenario because the patient’s PaO2 is already elevated (110 mm Hg), indicating that oxygenation is not the issue. Providing additional oxygen would not address the underlying problem of hyperventilation and respiratory alkalosis.
Choice C rationale:Intravenous sodium bicarbonate is used to treat metabolic acidosis, not respiratory alkalosis. In this case, the patient’s HCO3 is within the normal range (24 mEq/L), indicating that there is no metabolic acidosis present.
Choice D rationale:Starting an intravenous fluid bolus with isotonic fluids is not indicated for correcting respiratory alkalosis. This intervention is more appropriate for patients experiencing hypovolemia or dehydration, which is not suggested by the patient’s ABG results.
Correct Answer is ["C","D","E"]
Explanation
The correct answer is choiceC. Monitor the injection site for redness,D. Use an infusion controller for the IV, andE. Monitor fluid intake and output.
Choice A rationale:
Adding the ordered dose to the IV hanging is incorrect because potassium chloride should never be added to an already hanging IV solution due to the risk of uneven distribution and potential overdose.
Choice B rationale:
Administering the dose IV push over 3 minutes is incorrect because potassium chloride should never be given by direct IV injection.It must always be diluted and administered slowly to prevent cardiac complications.
Choice C rationale:
Monitoring the injection site for redness is correct because potassium chloride can cause irritation and phlebitis at the injection site.
Choice D rationale:
Using an infusion controller for the IV is correct because it ensures the potassium chloride is administered at a controlled rate, reducing the risk of rapid infusion and potential cardiac issues.
Choice E rationale:
Monitoring fluid intake and output is correct because it helps assess the patient’s overall fluid balance and detect any signs of fluid overload or deficit, which is crucial when administering potassium.
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