A client admitted to the emergency department with an acute exacerbation of peptic ulcer disease is vomiting and describing epigastric pain and nausea. After obtaining vital sign measurements, which prescription should the nurse implement first?

Insert a nasogastric tube (NGT) and attach to low intermittent suction.

Give a prescribed analgesic for temperature above 101°F (38.3° C).

Place an indwelling urinary catheter and attach a bedside drainage unit.

Send the client to x-ray for a flat plate of the abdomen.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: Inserting a nasogastric tube (NGT) and attaching to low intermittent suction is the priority intervention for a client with peptic ulcer disease who is vomiting and experiencing epigastric pain and nausea. This can help decompress the stomach, remove gastric contents, prevent further bleeding, and relieve the symptoms. The NGT should be inserted carefully and checked for proper placement before suctioning.

Choice B reason: Giving a prescribed analgesic for temperature above 101°F (38.3° C) is not the first intervention for a client with peptic ulcer disease who is vomiting and experiencing epigastric pain and nausea. Temperature elevation can indicate infection or inflammation, which can be treated with antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs. However, analgesics can have adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract, such as irritation, ulceration, or bleeding. Analgesics should be given cautiously and after the cause of the fever is identified.

Choice C reason: Placing an indwelling urinary catheter and attaching a bedside drainage unit is not the first intervention for a client with peptic ulcer disease who is vomiting and experiencing epigastric pain and nausea. Urinary catheterization can help monitor the fluid balance, renal function, and blood loss of the client, but it is not a priority in this situation. Urinary catheterization can also pose risks of infection, trauma, or obstruction, and should be avoided unless necessary.

Choice D reason: Sending the client to x-ray for a flat plate of the abdomen is not the first intervention for a client with peptic ulcer disease who is vomiting and experiencing epigastric pain and nausea. X-ray can help diagnose the location and extent of the ulcer, perforation, or obstruction, but it is not a priority in this situation. X-ray can also expose the client to radiation, which can be harmful, and should be done only after the client is stabilized.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Providing the first medication prescribed for pain management is the best intervention that the nurse can implement first, because it can prevent the escalation of pain and reduce the need for higher doses later. The nurse should follow the principles of pain management, such as administering analgesics before pain becomes severe, using a multimodal approach, and individualizing the plan of care.

Choice B reason: Reviewing medical records to obtain pain tolerance expectations is not a priority intervention that the nurse should implement first, because it may not reflect the current pain level or needs of the client. Pain tolerance is influenced by many factors, such as culture, age, gender, and previous experiences, and it may vary from person to person and from situation to situation.

Choice C reason: Waiting until the client is awake before providing pain management is not a recommended intervention that the nurse should implement first, because it can lead to inadequate pain relief and delayed recovery. The nurse should not assume that the client is not in pain because of sedation, but should use other indicators, such as vital signs, facial expressions, and body movements, to assess pain.

Choice D reason: Attempting to obtain a self-report of pain level from the client is not a feasible intervention that the nurse should implement first, because the client may not be able to respond due to sedation. The nurse should use a valid and reliable pain assessment tool that is appropriate for the client's condition, such as the Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) or the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT), to measure pain.

A. Explain specific reason for urgent notification. B. Obtain a PRN prescription for acetaminophen for fever over 101° F (38.3° C). C. Preface the report by stating the client’s name and admitting diagnosis. D. Communicate the pre-transfusion temperatures.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Explaining the specific reason for urgent notification is important, but it is not the first information that the nurse should provide. The nurse should first identify the client and the situation, then provide the background, assessment, and recommendation.

Choice B reason: Obtaining a PRN prescription for acetaminophen for fever over 101° F (38.3° C) is a possible recommendation that the nurse can make, but it is not the first information that the nurse should provide. The nurse should first identify the client and the situation, then provide the background, assessment, and recommendation.

Choice C reason: Prefacing the report by stating the client’s name and admitting diagnosis is the first information that the nurse should provide, according to the SBAR communication process. This helps to establish the identity and context of the client and the situation.

Choice D reason: Communicating the pre-transfusion temperatures is part of the assessment that the nurse should provide, but it is not the first information that the nurse should provide. The nurse should first identify the client and the situation, then provide the background, assessment, and recommendation.

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A client admitted to the emergency department with an acute exacerbation of peptic ulcer disease is vomiting and describing epigastric pain and nausea. After obtaining vital sign measurements, which prescription should the nurse implement first?

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