An elderly male patient in his early 70s is admitted to the emergency department due to a COPD exacerbation.
The patient is having difficulty breathing and the healthcare team is preparing for endotracheal intubation.
The patient’s wife, who is 30 years younger, asks the nurse to halt the procedure and presents the nurse with a copy of the patient’s living will.
What should the nurse’s next step be?

Choice A rationale

Discussing moving to Hawaii does not necessarily indicate a connection to the client’s current condition. It could be a long-term plan or a dream.

Choice B rationale

Being unemotional when talking about needing to rebuild their house could indicate a coping mechanism or emotional detachment. However, without additional context, it’s difficult to definitively associate this behavior with their current condition.

Choice C rationale

Expressing a desire to be in a quieter area of the unit could indicate that the client is experiencing stress, anxiety, or discomfort in their current environment. This behavior is most likely associated with their current condition as it shows a direct response to their surroundings.

Choice D rationale

Requesting sleeping medication for the night could indicate various issues such as insomnia, anxiety, or other sleep-related disorders. However, without more information about the client’s current condition, it’s not possible to make a direct association.

Choice A rationale

Canned chicken broth with barley is not the best choice for a patient with hypertension. Canned foods, including chicken broth, are often high in sodium, which can raise blood pressure.

Choice B rationale

Tomato juice and gluten-free crackers may seem like a healthy option, but tomato juice can be high in sodium. While gluten-free crackers can be part of a healthy diet, they don’t offer any specific benefits for controlling hypertension.

Choice C rationale

A plain baked sweet potato is an excellent choice for a patient with hypertension. Sweet potatoes are high in potassium, which can help lower blood pressure. They’re also a good source of fiber and are naturally low in sodium.

Choice D rationale

Dill pickles and black olives are both high in sodium, which can raise blood pressure. Therefore, they’re not a good choice for someone with hypertension.