Which is the priority nursing diagnosis for a patient who has been diagnosed with Meniere’s disease?

Choice A reason: This is an incorrect choice because reassuring the patient that the shortness of breath will be relieved shortly is not the priority action of the nurse as the assessment process is started. Reassurance is a communication technique that involves expressing confidence or support to the patient and alleviating their anxiety or fear. However, it is not the most urgent action for a patient with acute shortness of breath, which is a sign of respiratory distress that can have various causes and complications. The nurse should first assess the patient's condition and provide oxygen therapy if needed.

Choice B reason: This is an incorrect choice because pulling the curtain around the bed and ensuring patient privacy is not the priority action of the nurse as the assessment process is started. Privacy is a patient right that involves protecting the patient's personal information and dignity. However, it is not the most urgent action for a patient with acute shortness of breath, which is a sign of respiratory distress that can have various causes and complications. The nurse should first assess the patient's condition and provide oxygen therapy if needed.

Choice C reason: This is an incorrect choice because telling the patient that the physician will be in shortly to start treatment is not the priority action of the nurse as the assessment process is started. Communication is a nursing skill that involves informing the patient of the plan of care and collaborating with other health care professionals. However, it is not the most urgent action for a patient with acute shortness of breath, which is a sign of respiratory distress that can have various causes and complications. The nurse should first assess the patient's condition and provide oxygen therapy if needed.

Choice D reason: This is the correct choice because listening to the patient’s lung sounds and checking the pulse oximetry level is the priority action of the nurse as the assessment process is started. Assessment is a nursing process that involves collecting and analyzing data about the patient's health status and needs. Listening to the patient’s lung sounds and checking the pulse oximetry level are essential steps to evaluate the patient's respiratory function and oxygenation. These actions can help the nurse to identify the possible cause and severity of the patient's shortness of breath and to initiate appropriate interventions.

Choice A reason: This is an incorrect choice because the nurse requests that the primary health care provider examines the patient is not the information that the nurse reports for the “B”. The “B” stands for background, which is the relevant information about the patient's history, diagnosis, and treatment. The nurse's request is part of the “R”, which stands for recommendation, which is the action that the nurse suggests or requests.

Choice B reason: This is the correct choice because the patient has a fractured right leg with a cast that was applied 2 days ago is the information that the nurse reports for the “B”. The “B” stands for background, which is the relevant information about the patient's history, diagnosis, and treatment. The patient's fracture and cast are part of the patient's background that the nurse should share with the primary health care provider.

Choice C reason: This is an incorrect choice because the patient’s toes are cool and pale and the patient reports that the foot feels numb is not the information that the nurse reports for the “B”. The “B” stands for background, which is the relevant information about the patient's history, diagnosis, and treatment. The patient's toes and foot are part of the patient's current condition that the nurse should report for the “S”, which stands for situation, which is the reason for the communication and the patient's status.

Choice D reason: This is an incorrect choice because the patient is reporting severe pain 1 hour after pain medication was given is not the information that the nurse reports for the “B”. The “B” stands for background, which is the relevant information about the patient's history, diagnosis, and treatment. The patient's pain and medication are part of the patient's current condition that the nurse should report for the “S”, which stands for situation, which is the reason for the communication and the patient's status.