The nurse is caring for a client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who is receiving oxygen therapy. Which assessment should the nurse prioritize?

Monitor oxygen saturation

Check skin color

Assess for chest pain

Measure blood pressure

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: Monitoring oxygen saturation is critical in COPD, as oxygen therapy aims to maintain saturation (88–92%) to prevent hypoxia. Pulse oximetry ensures adequate oxygenation, guiding therapy adjustments, making it the priority assessment to prevent respiratory failure and optimize lung function.

Choice B reason: Checking skin color assesses cyanosis but is less precise than oxygen saturation. Pulse oximetry provides objective data on oxygenation in COPD, guiding oxygen therapy, making it the priority over subjective visual assessments, which are secondary to quantitative measures.

Choice C reason: Assessing chest pain is relevant for cardiac issues but not the primary concern in COPD oxygen therapy. Oxygen saturation directly evaluates therapy effectiveness, preventing hypoxia, making it the priority assessment to ensure respiratory stability in chronic lung disease.

Choice D reason: Measuring blood pressure monitors cardiovascular status but is secondary to oxygenation in COPD. Oxygen saturation is critical, as hypoxia exacerbates respiratory distress, requiring immediate assessment to adjust oxygen therapy, making it the priority over hemodynamic evaluations.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: A head-to-toe neurological assessment is the priority after a fall with vomiting, as it evaluates for traumatic brain injury or increased intracranial pressure. Vomiting may indicate neurological compromise. This assessment guides urgent interventions, as undetected brain injury can lead to rapid deterioration in the ICU.

Choice B reason: Determining the last corticosteroid dose is relevant for managing underlying conditions but not the immediate priority post-fall. Vomiting and potential head injury require neurological assessment first, as brain trauma poses an acute risk, whereas corticosteroid timing is secondary to stabilizing neurological status.

Choice C reason: Determining the neurological baseline before the fall is useful for comparison but not the first action. A current neurological assessment identifies acute changes or injuries post-fall, as vomiting may signal brain injury, making immediate evaluation critical to guide treatment in the ICU.

Choice D reason: Administering a PRN antiemetic controls vomiting, improving comfort, but does not address the underlying cause. Vomiting post-fall may indicate neurological injury, requiring immediate assessment. Neurological evaluation takes precedence to rule out brain trauma before symptomatic treatment with antiemetics.

A. Limit potassium-rich foods B. Increase protein intake C. Restrict carbohydrate consumption D. Encourage high-sodium foods

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Limiting potassium-rich foods is critical in chronic kidney disease, as impaired renal excretion causes hyperkalemia, risking cardiac arrhythmias. Foods like bananas and oranges are restricted to maintain safe potassium levels, making this the priority dietary teaching to prevent life-threatening complications.

Choice B reason: Increasing protein intake is inappropriate, as chronic kidney disease requires protein restriction to reduce uremic toxins and kidney workload. Potassium restriction is prioritized, as hyperkalemia poses an immediate cardiac risk, making it the essential dietary focus over protein adjustments.

Choice C reason: Restricting carbohydrates is not standard in chronic kidney disease unless diabetes is present. Potassium restriction is critical, as elevated potassium levels from impaired renal clearance cause arrhythmias, making it the priority dietary intervention to ensure cardiac safety.

Choice D reason: Encouraging high-sodium foods is incorrect, as sodium restriction prevents fluid retention and hypertension in chronic kidney disease. Potassium restriction is the priority, as hyperkalemia directly threatens cardiac function, making it the essential dietary focus over sodium concerns.

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The nurse is caring for a client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who is receiving oxygen therapy. Which assessment should the nurse prioritize?

Nursing Test Bank

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The nurse is caring for a client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who is receiving oxygen therapy. Which assessment should the nurse prioritize?