The nurse is admitting a client from the postanesthesia unit to the postoperative surgical care unit.
Which prescription should the nurse implement first?

The correct answer is A. The nurse should first implement the prescription of Cefazolin 1 gram intravenously every 6 hours.

This is because, on admission of a patient to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) from surgery, the first priority is to assess the airway and breathing status. Administering Cefazolin, an antibiotic, helps prevent postoperative infections, which is crucial in the immediate postoperative period.

Choice A rationale

Listening for bilateral breath sounds is a common method to confirm the correct placement of the ETT1. When the ETT is correctly placed, breath sounds should be heard equally on both sides of the chest.

Choice B rationale

Verifying a capillary refill time of less than 3 seconds is not directly related to confirming the placement of an ETT. Capillary refill time is often used to assess peripheral circulation and hydration status, not airway management.

Choice C rationale

Checking that the ETT markings are between 22 and 26 cm at the teeth line is another method to confirm correct ETT placement. These markings help ensure that the ETT is not too far into the trachea, which could cause one lung to be ventilated more than the other.

Choice D rationale

Observing for symmetrical chest movement is a visual confirmation of correct ETT placement. When the ETT is correctly placed, both sides of the chest should rise and fall equally with each breath.

Choice E rationale

Arranging for a portable chest x-ray is considered the gold standard for confirming ETT location. It provides a visual confirmation that the ETT is in the trachea and not in the esophagus.