A nurse is caring for a patient who has just been admitted to the hospital with chest pain and shortness of breath. The patient has a history of coronary artery disease and hypertension. The nurse obtains vital signs, performs an electrocardiogram (ECG), and administers oxygen therapy as ordered by the physician. What is the next priority action for the nurse?

Choice A reason:

Independent nursing interventions are actions that nurses can perform by themselves, without any management from a doctor or another discipline. For example, checking vital signs, repositioning a patient, or providing patient education are independent nursing interventions. These interventions do not require a health care provider's order.

Choice B reason:

Dependent nursing interventions are actions that nurses perform under the direction of a physician or as part of a care plan. For example, administering medications, performing diagnostic tests, or inserting an intravenous line are dependent nursing interventions. These interventions require a health care provider's order.

Choice C reason:

Collaborative nursing interventions are actions that nurses perform in coordination with other health care professionals, such as physicians, pharmacists, dietitians, or physical therapists. For example, developing a discharge plan, implementing a wound care protocol, or providing nutritional counseling are collaborative nursing interventions. These interventions may or may not require a health care provider's order, depending on the situation and the scope of practice of the nurse.

Choice D reason:

Evaluative nursing interventions are not a type of intervention, but rather a step in the nursing process. Evaluative nursing interventions are actions that nurses take to assess the outcomes of their care and the effectiveness of their interventions. For example, measuring pain levels, monitoring wound healing, or evaluating patient satisfaction are evaluative nursing interventions. These interventions do not require a health care provider's order.

Choice A reason:.

Establishing a baseline for planning care and evaluating outcomes is the main purpose of the assessment phase of the nursing process. The assessment phase involves collecting data about the client's health status and needs, which will help the nurse to identify any problems or potential problems that may need to be addressed. The assessment data will also serve as a reference point for comparing the client's progress and outcomes throughout the nursing process.

Choice B reason:.

Identifying the client's response to health concerns or illness is part of the diagnosis phase of the nursing process. The diagnosis phase involves analyzing the data collected during the assessment phase and identifying the client's problems and strengths. The nurse then formulates a nursing diagnosis, which is a statement of the client's actual or potential health problem that can be addressed by nursing interventions.

Choice C reason:.

Providing goal-directed, client-centered care is part of the planning and implementation phases of the nursing process. The planning phase involves setting goals and outcomes for the client and selecting appropriate interventions to achieve them. The goals and outcomes should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely (SMART), and they should reflect the client's preferences and values. The implementation phase involves carrying out the interventions and documenting the actions and responses. The interventions should be evidence-based, safe, and effective, and they should involve the client as much as possible.

Choice D reason:.

Comparing the client's data with expected standards or reference ranges is part of the evaluation phase of the nursing process. The evaluation phase involves evaluating the effectiveness of the interventions and modifying the plan as needed. The nurse compares the client's actual outcomes with the expected outcomes and determines whether the goals have been met, partially met, or not met. The nurse also identifies any factors that may have influenced the outcomes, such as client compliance, environmental factors, or unexpected events.