A patient is having dyspnea. What would the nurse do first?

Take the blood pressure

Remove the pillow from under the patient’s head

Elevate the foot of the bed

Elevate the head of the bed

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. Take the blood pressure:

Assessing blood pressure is a critical initial step when a patient is experiencing dyspnea. It helps provide information about the patient's overall cardiovascular status, which is essential in determining the severity of the dyspnea and guiding subsequent interventions.

B. Remove the pillow from under the patient’s head:

Removing the pillow may be a relevant intervention if the patient is in a position that could be contributing to respiratory distress. However, the priority is to first assess vital signs, particularly blood pressure, to gather information about the patient's cardiovascular status.

C. Elevate the foot of the bed:

Elevating the foot of the bed may be a consideration if the dyspnea is related to conditions such as heart failure, where raising the legs can help reduce venous return and decrease the workload on the heart. However, the initial priority is to assess blood pressure to guide appropriate interventions.

D. Elevate the head of the bed:

Elevating the head of the bed may be beneficial for patients with respiratory distress to improve ventilation and oxygenation. While this intervention may be appropriate, the first action should be to assess vital signs, particularly blood pressure, to gain an overall understanding of the patient's condition.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Validate the finding:

Validating the finding involves rechecking the patient's temperature using a different thermometer or method to confirm the accuracy of the initial measurement. This step is crucial to rule out any potential errors or issues with the measurement.

B. Document the finding:

Once the finding has been validated and confirmed, the nurse should document the elevated temperature accurately in the patient's medical record. Documentation is essential for communication among the healthcare team and for tracking changes in the patient's condition over time.

C. Inform the surgeon:

If the elevated temperature is confirmed and the patient is scheduled for surgery, it is important to inform the surgeon promptly. The surgeon needs to be aware of any changes in the patient's health status that may impact the decision to proceed with the scheduled surgery.

D. Inform the charge nurse:

Informing the charge nurse may be appropriate, especially if there are specific protocols or procedures in place within the healthcare facility for addressing unexpected changes in a patient's condition. The charge nurse can provide guidance and coordinate appropriate actions.

A. Redo the initial assessment and document current findings B. Perform and document a focused assessment of skin integrity C. Correct the initial assessment form D. Conduct and document an emergency assessment

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Redo the initial assessment and document current findings:

This option suggests repeating the entire initial assessment. While reassessment is important, redoing the entire initial assessment may not be necessary. Instead, a focused assessment on the specific area of concern (skin integrity) is more appropriate.

B. Perform and document a focused assessment of skin integrity:

This is the recommended choice. If unexpected findings are observed during care, such as reddened areas over bony prominences, it is important to conduct a focused assessment on the skin to identify any issues and document the findings accurately.

C. Correct the initial assessment form:

Simply correcting the initial assessment form may not address the immediate need for assessing and addressing the reddened areas. It is more crucial to perform a focused assessment on the skin.

D. Conduct and document an emergency assessment:

Reddened areas over bony prominences may not necessarily indicate an emergency. However, addressing the issue promptly is important. A focused assessment would be more appropriate than conducting a full emergency assessment.

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A patient is having dyspnea. What would the nurse do first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is surprised to detect an elevated temperature (102 °F) in a patient scheduled for surgery. The patient has been afebrile and shows no other signs of being febrile. What is the first thing the nurse should do?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

When you receive the shift report, you learn that your patient has no special skin care needs. You are surprised during the bath to observe reddened areas over bony prominences. What action is appropriate?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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