Which patient should the nurse assess first after receiving a change-of-shift report?
A patient with a scheduled physical therapy session in 1 hour.
A patient with a routine follow-up appointment for a non-urgent condition.
A patient with altered mental status and confusion.
A patient with moderate pleuritis and requesting pain medication.
The Correct Answer is C
A. While this patient is scheduled for a physical therapy session, it is not an urgent concern that would require immediate attention.
B. A routine follow-up appointment for a non-urgent condition can be managed at a later time and does not take priority over more acute concerns.
C. A patient with altered mental status and confusion should be assessed first. This could indicate a serious underlying issue such as infection, hypoxia, or a neurological condition. Altered mental status in any patient warrants immediate attention to prevent further complications.
D. Although the patient with pleuritis is in pain, moderate pleuritis is typically not an urgent condition, and pain management can be provided after more pressing concerns are addressed.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. While assessing sputum is important to determine its color, consistency, and amount, it is not the priority before performing percussion, vibration, and postural drainage. The nurse should first assess the patient's overall respiratory status.
B. Assessing pulse and respirations is the first step in ensuring the patient's baseline respiratory status is stable before performing respiratory therapies. This allows the nurse to detect any signs of distress or abnormal respiratory patterns, which could indicate the need for further intervention before the procedure.
C. Auscultating lung fields is important for evaluating the effectiveness of the percussion and drainage procedure, but the initial assessment should include vital signs, such as pulse and respirations, to ensure the patient is stable.
D. Instructing the patient to slowly exhale with pursed lips is a helpful technique for managing respiratory distress, but it is not the first priority before conducting percussion or postural drainage. The nurse should first assess vital signs.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. It is appropriate to notify the physician if bright red blood is found in the NG tube, as this could indicate bleeding, which requires prompt medical attention.
B. It is standard practice to keep the NG tube taped and secured to the patient’s nares to prevent dislodgement and ensure proper function.
C. A temperature under 100.5°F is generally not a cause for concern postoperatively, unless it is persistent or accompanied by other signs of infection. Typically, a low-grade fever is expected after surgery, but further investigation is only warranted for higher fevers or other concerning symptoms.
D. Irrigating the NG tube every 6 hours with 30 mL of normal saline is standard practice to ensure patency of the tube and prevent clogging.
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