A nurse is assessing a client's vital signs. The oxygen saturation is 85%. What intervention should the nurse perform first?
Call the provider
Place the client in the lithotomy position
Raise the head of the bed
Obtain pain medication
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Calling the provider is not the intervention that the nurse should perform first, because it is not the most urgent and relevant action. Calling the provider is a communication intervention, not a respiratory intervention. Calling the provider is an important action, but it should be done after raising the head of the bed, and with accurate and complete information.
Choice B reason: Placing the client in the lithotomy position is not the intervention that the nurse should perform first, because it is not the most urgent and relevant action. Placing the client in the lithotomy position is a positioning intervention, not a respiratory intervention. Placing the client in the lithotomy position is a specific action that is used for pelvic examinations or procedures, not for improving oxygenation.
Choice C reason: Raising the head of the bed is the intervention that the nurse should perform first, because it is the most urgent and relevant action. Raising the head of the bed is a respiratory intervention, not a communication, positioning, or analgesic intervention. Raising the head of the bed is a simple and effective action that can improve the client's breathing, oxygenation, and comfort.
Choice D reason: Obtaining pain medication is not the intervention that the nurse should perform first, because it is not the most urgent and relevant action. Obtaining pain medication is an analgesic intervention, not a respiratory intervention. Obtaining pain medication is an important action, but it should be done after raising the head of the bed, and with a medical order and a proper route.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is not the best action because encouraging range of motion can worsen the symptoms and cause more damage to the nerves and blood vessels. Range of motion is the movement of the joints and muscles through their normal extent. Range of motion can help to prevent stiffness, contractures, and muscle atrophy, but it can also increase the swelling and pressure in the affected area, which can impair the circulation and sensation.
Choice B reason: This is not the best action because applying heat to the affected hand can worsen the symptoms and cause more damage to the tissues. Heat is the transfer of thermal energy from a warmer object to a cooler one. Heat can help to relax the muscles, reduce the pain, and increase the blood flow, but it can also increase the inflammation and edema in the affected area, which can compromise the oxygen and nutrient delivery to the tissues.
Choice C reason: This is the best action because removing the cast can decrease the pressure and restore the circulation and sensation to the affected area. A cast is a rigid device that immobilizes and protects a fractured or injured body part. A cast can help to align the bones, prevent displacement, and promote healing, but it can also cause complications, such as compartment syndrome, infection, or nerve damage. Compartment syndrome is a condition where the pressure inside the muscles increases to dangerous levels, causing severe pain, reduced blood flow, and tissue death. The nurse should remove the cast immediately and notify the physician if the client shows signs of compartment syndrome, such as numbness, tingling, pallor, coolness, or swelling.
Choice D reason: This is not the best action because raising the arm above the level of the heart can worsen the symptoms and cause more damage to the nerves and blood vessels. Raising the arm above the level of the heart can help to reduce the swelling and pain in the affected area, but it can also reduce the blood flow and oxygenation to the area, which can lead to ischemia, necrosis, or gangrene. The nurse should elevate the arm at or below the level of the heart and monitor the pulse, color, temperature, and sensation of the fingers.
Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: Increased agitation is a nonverbal sign of pain, because it indicates that the client is restless, uncomfortable, or distressed by the pain. Agitation can manifest as fidgeting, tossing, turning, moaning, or groaning.
Choice B reason: Decreased attention span is not a nonverbal sign of pain, but rather a cognitive or behavioral sign of pain. Decreased attention span means that the client has difficulty focusing, concentrating, or remembering things, which can be affected by pain. However, decreased attention span is not a direct expression of pain, but rather a consequence of pain.
Choice C reason: Grimacing is a nonverbal sign of pain, because it indicates that the client is experiencing facial muscle tension, contraction, or distortion due to the pain. Grimacing can manifest as frowning, wrinkling the forehead, pursing the lips, or clenching the teeth.
Choice D reason: Reported pain of 5/10 is not a nonverbal sign of pain, but rather a verbal sign of pain. Reported pain of 5/10 means that the client has communicated the intensity of their pain using a numerical scale, which is a subjective and selfreported measure of pain. However, reported pain of 5/10 is not a direct expression of pain, but rather a description of pain.
Choice E reason: Increase in heart rate is a nonverbal sign of pain, because it indicates that the client is experiencing physiological changes due to the pain. Increase in heart rate can manifest as tachycardia, palpitations, or arrhythmias.
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