A patient who is experiencing an acute asthma attack is admitted to the emergency department.
Which action should the nurse complete first?
Administer a prescribed bronchodilator medication.
Check the patient's vital signs.
Collect a sputum sample for analysis.
Obtain a detailed health history.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Administering a prescribed bronchodilator medication is the priority action for a patient experiencing an acute asthma attack. This helps to open the airways and improve breathing.
Choice B rationale
While checking the patient's vital signs is important, it is not the first action in the acute management of an asthma attack. The immediate priority is to relieve bronchospasm.
Choice C rationale
Collecting a sputum sample for analysis is not the first priority in an acute asthma attack. Stabilizing the patient's breathing is more urgent.
Choice D rationale
Obtaining a detailed health history is essential for comprehensive care but is not the first action during an acute asthma attack. Rapid intervention to improve breathing is the priority.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice B rationale
Radiating pain to the left arm is a classic symptom of a myocardial infarction (MI). This pain occurs due to the heart muscle not receiving enough oxygen, often because of a blockage in one or more coronary arteries. The pain can radiate to the left arm, jaw, neck, or back, and is a key indicator for diagnosing an MI.
Choice A rationale
Nausea and vomiting can occur during an MI but are not the most distinctive symptoms for diagnosis. They can also be associated with other conditions, making them less specific indicators of MI.
Choice C rationale
Shortness of breath is a common symptom during an MI, resulting from reduced oxygen supply to the heart. However, while it is an important clinical manifestation, it can also be associated with other cardiac or respiratory conditions.
Choice D rationale
Headache is not a typical symptom of an MI. It is less commonly associated with heart attacks and can be caused by a wide range of other factors, making it an unreliable symptom for diagnosing MI.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Administering post-procedure antibiotics is not typically required for a bronchoscopy unless there is evidence of infection. The procedure itself does not inherently pose a high risk of infection requiring antibiotics as a preventative measure.
Choice B rationale
Providing pre-procedure sedation is important to ensure the client is comfortable and relaxed during the bronchoscopy. This helps minimize discomfort and anxiety associated with the procedure.
Choice C rationale
Ensuring the client is NPO (nothing by mouth) for a specific period before the procedure is crucial to prevent aspiration. Aspiration can occur if the client has food or liquid in their stomach, posing a serious risk during the insertion of the bronchoscope.
Choice D rationale
Encouraging the client to drink plenty of fluids before the procedure is not appropriate because the client needs to be NPO to prevent aspiration risks during the bronchoscopy.
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