A nurse is collecting data from a client who is 12 hr postoperative following intestinal surgery. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the charge nurse prior to client ambulation?
Oxygen saturation 90%
Respiratory rate 20/min
Apical pulse rate 88/min
Oral temperature 37.6° C (99.7° F)
The Correct Answer is A
An oxygen saturation level of 90% is below the normal range and indicates inadequate oxygenation. This finding could indicate respiratory compromise or impaired lung function, which may require further assessment and intervention before allowing the client to ambulate.
The respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute, apical pulse rate of 88 beats per minute, and oral temperature of 37.6°C (99.7°F) are within the expected range and do not raise immediate concerns that require reporting to the charge nurse prior to ambulation.
However, the nurse should continue to monitor these vital signs during and after ambulation to ensure stability.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"C","dropdown-group-2":"B"}
Explanation
The client's symptoms are concerning for angina or a possible myocardial infarction (heart atack) and require immediate intervention. Nitroglycerin is a medication that can help relieve chest pain associated with cardiac events by dilating blood vessels and reducing the workload on the heart.
Therefore, the nurse should administer nitroglycerin as ordered by the provider. After administering nitroglycerin, the nurse should obtain an ECG to assess for any changes in cardiac rhythm or evidence of ischemia (lack of blood flow to the heart muscle).
The ECG can provide important diagnostic information and guide further treatment decisions.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
It is important for the client to remain still during the recording of a 12-lead ECG to obtain accurate and clear readings of the heart's electrical activity.
The orthopneic position (sitting upright and leaning forward) is typically used to help relieve shortness of breath in clients with respiratory distress and is not directly related to obtaining a 12-lead ECG.
Attaching a blood pressure cuff is not necessary for obtaining a 12-lead ECG, as it measures blood pressure and not the electrical activity of the heart.
A mild stinging sensation is not expected during the test. The electrodes used to record the ECG are typically adhesive and do not cause discomfort to the client
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