The nurse is caring for a client who had a bowel resection for colon cancer. The vital signs were stable during surgery. While in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) the client is sleepy but awakens easily. The pulse ox is 88%. What would be the priority action by the nurse?
Call a rapid response for more assistance
Administer naloxone 0.4 mg SQ and reassess
Check the temperature and apply warmed blankets
Encourage the client to take deep breaths
The Correct Answer is D
A. Calling a rapid response may be necessary if the client's condition deteriorates, but it is not the immediate priority in this scenario where the client is still able to be aroused.
B. Administering naloxone is appropriate if there is suspicion of opioid overdose; however, the priority is to address the low oxygen saturation first with non-invasive measures.
C. Checking the temperature and applying warmed blankets may be important, but the immediate concern is the low oxygen saturation.
D. Encouraging the client to take deep breaths is the most appropriate immediate action to improve oxygen saturation levels and enhance ventilation, as the client is in a post-anesthesia state where respiratory depression can occur.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Contributing to the medical diagnosis is a secondary goal for nursing care. The nurse's primary role is to ensure patient safety and prevent complications such as falls, which are more likely in patients with sensory and motor impairments.
B. While establishing a baseline for future comparison is important, it is not the most immediate concern. The nurse's priority is preventing falls and injury related to the impairment.
C. The priority in this case is to protect the client from falls or injury, as impaired motor and sensory function in the lower extremities increases the risk for accidents. Preventing injury will guide the development of the care plan, such as implementing fall precautions.
D. Anticipating other neurologic deficits is valuable but not the most urgent concern compared to protecting the client from the immediate risk of falls.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. While using the correct needle size is important for insulin administration, it is not the most critical aspect of discharge planning. The focus should be on managing blood glucose levels and recognizing when medical intervention is needed.
B. Monitoring the skin for dryness at the injection site is a good practice, but it is not the most urgent issue to address in discharge planning for a newly diagnosed diabetic client.
C. Consistently elevated blood glucose levels above 200 mg/dL may indicate poor control of diabetes and require prompt adjustments in treatment. Teaching the client to recognize and report hyperglycemia is essential to prevent complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
D. Eye exams are important for long-term diabetes management to monitor for diabetic retinopathy, but every 3 months is excessive. Annual eye exams are typically sufficient unless otherwise indicated by the healthcare provider.
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