A nurse is assigned to four patients during a morning shift. Which patient should the nurse perform a focused assessment on first?
A patient who is scheduled for a routine follow-up visit for hypertension management.
A patient who is receiving antibiotics for a urinary tract infection and is requesting assistance with personal hygiene.
A patient who is recovering from an appendectomy and is asking about discharge instructions.
A patient who is complaining of sudden onset chest pain and shortness of breath.
Answer: D
The Correct Answer is D
A. A patient who is scheduled for a routine follow-up visit for hypertension management. This is incorrect because this patient is stable and does not require immediate assessment. Routine follow-ups do not take priority over acute conditions.
B. A patient who is receiving antibiotics for a urinary tract infection and is requesting assistance with personal hygiene. This is incorrect because while personal hygiene is important, it is not urgent or life-threatening.
C. A patient who is recovering from an appendectomy and is asking about discharge instructions. This is incorrect because discharge teaching is important but can be scheduled later in the shift when more urgent needs have been addressed.
D. A patient who is complaining of sudden onset chest pain and shortness of breath. This is correct because sudden onset chest pain and shortness of breath can indicate a life-threatening condition such as myocardial infarction or pulmonary embolism. The nurse must immediately assess this patient to determine the cause and initiate emergency interventions if necessary.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. The nurse determines to remove a wound dressing when the patient reveals the time of the last dressing change and notices old and new drainage. This is correct because data validation involves verifying information before taking action. The nurse gathers subjective data from the patient (time of last dressing change) and objective data (drainage) before making a clinical decision.
B. The nurse administers pain medicine due at 1700 at 1600 because the patient reports increased pain and the family wants something done. This is incorrect because the nurse has not validated whether the pain medication can be given early or if other interventions should be attempted first.
C. The nurse immediately asks the health care provider for an order of potassium when a patient reports leg cramps. This is incorrect because the nurse has not validated whether the leg cramps are due to low potassium. Leg cramps can result from multiple causes, including dehydration or circulatory issues. Lab values should be checked first.
D. The nurse elevates a leg cast when the patient reports decreased mobility. This is incorrect because decreased mobility does not necessarily indicate the need for elevation. Data validation should include assessing for swelling, circulation, and pain before making a decision.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. This is a routine, non-clinical task that does not require nursing judgment and can be safely delegated to NAP to help prevent pressure injuries.
B. Assessment is a nursing responsibility and cannot be delegated to NAP. Only a licensed nurse can evaluate the skin’s condition.
C. Wound care requires nursing expertise to ensure proper application and monitoring for signs of infection.
D. Dressing changes require clinical assessment and are outside the scope of NAP practice.
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