Which site will the nurse use to measure the patient’s pulse rate before administering the cardiac medication Digoxin?

Choice A reason: This is incorrect. The patient takes 30 mg morphine sulfate daily does not lead the nurse to clarify the order for ibuprofen 600 mg PO every 8 hours. Morphine sulfate is an opioid analgesic that can be used in combination with ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), for moderate to severe pain. The nurse should monitor the patient for signs of respiratory depression, sedation, or constipation, but there is no need to clarify the order.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect. The patient has severe joint pain due to aggressive arthritis does not lead the nurse to clarify the order for ibuprofen 600 mg PO every 8 hours. Ibuprofen is indicated for the relief of signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The nurse should assess the patient's pain level, response to treatment, and adverse effects, but there is no need to clarify the order.

Choice C reason: This is correct. The patient has a gastrointestinal bleed leads the nurse to clarify the order for ibuprofen 600 mg PO every 8 hours. Ibuprofen can cause gastrointestinal irritation, ulceration, bleeding, and perforation. The nurse should question the order and consider alternative analgesics for the patient, especially if they have a history of peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, or bleeding disorders.

Choice D reason: This is correct. The patient has a history of diabetes and early renal failure leads the nurse to clarify the order for ibuprofen 600 mg PO every 8 hours. Ibuprofen can impair renal function, increase blood pressure, and interfere with the effects of antihypertensive and antidiabetic drugs. The nurse should question the order and monitor the patient's renal function, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels closely.

Choice E reason: This is correct. The patient has allergies to shellfish, strawberries, and iodine leads the nurse to clarify the order for ibuprofen 600 mg PO every 8 hours. Ibuprofen can cause hypersensitivity reactions, such as rash, angioedema, bronchospasm, or anaphylaxis. The nurse should question the order and ask the patient about any previous reactions to NSAIDs or aspirin. The patient may need to avoid ibuprofen and use a different analgesic..

Choice A reason: This is the correct choice because performing a focused patient assessment is the first action of the nurse when starting care for the patient at the beginning of the shift. A focused patient assessment involves collecting data about the patient's current condition, needs, and preferences. This data helps the nurse to identify any changes, problems, or risks that require immediate attention or intervention.

Choice B reason: This is an incorrect choice because conducting the patient’s health history is not the first action of the nurse when starting care for the patient at the beginning of the shift. A health history involves collecting data about the patient's past and present health status, medical history, family history, and social history. This data helps the nurse to understand the patient's background, risk factors, and health goals. A health history is usually conducted during the admission process or the initial assessment, not at the beginning of each shift.

Choice C reason: This is an incorrect choice because creating the nursing care plan for the patient is not the first action of the nurse when starting care for the patient at the beginning of the shift. A nursing care plan involves developing a set of interventions and outcomes based on the patient's assessment data, diagnosis, and goals. This plan guides the nurse to provide individualized and holistic care for the patient. A nursing care plan is usually created after the initial assessment and updated regularly throughout the care process, not at the beginning of each shift.

Choice D reason: This is an incorrect choice because administering prescribed medications is not the first action of the nurse when starting care for the patient at the beginning of the shift. Administering prescribed medications involves giving the patient the right drug, dose, route, time, and documentation according to the physician's order and the nursing standards. This action requires the nurse to check the patient's assessment data, allergies, vital signs, and laboratory results before giving the medication. Administering prescribed medications is usually done after performing a focused patient assessment, not before.