A nurse is admitting a client to the post-anesthesia care unit. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Check the client’s airway.
Check the client’s level of consciousness.
Check the client’s blood pressure.
Check the client’s level of pain.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Checking the airway is the priority in post-anesthesia care, as anesthesia can cause respiratory depression or obstruction due to reduced pharyngeal muscle tone. Ensuring airway patency prevents hypoxia, maintaining oxygen delivery to vital organs, critical for patient safety and stabilization post-surgery.
Choice B reason: Level of consciousness is assessed after ensuring airway and breathing, as anesthesia (e.g., propofol) depresses the central nervous system. While important for neurological status, it is secondary to airway patency, as hypoxia from an obstructed airway poses an immediate life-threatening risk in the post-anesthesia period.
Choice C reason: Blood pressure monitoring is crucial to assess hemodynamic stability post-anesthesia, as hypotension may result from anesthetic agents or blood loss. However, airway obstruction causes hypoxia faster than cardiovascular instability, making airway assessment the first priority to ensure oxygenation before addressing circulatory parameters.
Choice D reason: Pain assessment is important for patient comfort and recovery but is not the first priority. Uncontrolled pain may increase sympathetic activity, affecting heart rate, but airway compromise causes rapid hypoxia, posing a greater immediate threat, requiring airway evaluation before addressing pain levels.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Inhaling through the mouth is not the primary focus of coughing and deep breathing exercises, which emphasize deep inhalation (often through the nose) to expand alveoli. Mouth breathing may reduce efficiency, as nasal breathing filters air and optimizes lung expansion, making this an incorrect instruction for preoperative teaching.
Choice B reason: Holding the breath for 5 seconds after a deep inhalation sustains lung expansion, promoting alveolar gas exchange and preventing atelectasis. This technique strengthens respiratory muscles and clears secretions, critical for postoperative recovery. It is a key component of coughing and deep breathing exercises to maintain pulmonary health.
Choice C reason: Exhaling through the nose is not typically emphasized in coughing and deep breathing exercises. Effective coughing requires forceful exhalation through the mouth to expel secretions and clear airways. Nasal exhalation is less effective for this purpose, making this an incorrect instruction for preoperative pulmonary care.
Choice D reason: Repeating coughing exercises every 2 hours is a general guideline, but the focus is on frequency while awake (e.g., every 1-2 hours). The exact timing depends on the client’s condition, and the technique’s effectiveness relies more on proper breathing and coughing methods, making this less critical than breath-holding.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: Documenting the client’s response to interventions, such as medication or positional changes, is critical for evaluating treatment efficacy and guiding care. This includes noting changes in blood pressure or symptoms post-intervention, ensuring continuity of care. Accurate records support clinical decision-making and reflect the physiological impact of interventions on the cardiovascular system.
Choice B reason: Interventions implemented, such as administering antihypertensives or fluids, must be documented to track actions taken in response to blood pressure readings. This ensures a clear record of care provided, facilitating communication among healthcare providers and enabling evaluation of treatment effectiveness in managing the client’s cardiovascular status.
Choice C reason: The frequency of blood pressure measurements is essential to document, as it indicates monitoring intensity based on the client’s condition. For example, unstable patients may require frequent checks. This information ensures consistency in care, tracks trends in cardiovascular status, and supports timely interventions for abnormal readings.
Choice D reason: The client’s position (e.g., sitting, lying, standing) during blood pressure measurement affects readings due to gravitational effects on blood flow. Documenting position ensures accurate interpretation of results, as orthostatic changes can indicate hypovolemia or autonomic dysfunction. This detail is critical for assessing cardiovascular stability and guiding treatment plans.
Choice E reason: The site of blood pressure measurement (e.g., arm, wrist, thigh) must be documented, as different sites can yield varying readings due to arterial size and proximity to the heart. Specifying the site ensures consistency in serial measurements and accurate interpretation of cardiovascular status, supporting reliable clinical decision-making.
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