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:

The client's level of fatigue and weakness is an important data to collect because fatigue is one of the most common and disabling symptoms of MS, affecting about 80% of people with the condition. Fatigue can interfere with the client's daily activities, quality of life, and ability to cope with other symptoms. Weakness is also a common symptom of MS, caused by damage to the nerve fibers that control muscle movements. Weakness can affect the client's mobility, balance, and coordination.

Choice B reason:

The client's cognitive and emotional status is another important data to collect because MS can affect the brain and spinal cord, leading to cognitive impairment in about 50% of people with MS. Cognitive impairment can affect the client's memory, attention, concentration, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. MS can also cause emotional changes, such as depression, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, and euphoria. Emotional changes can affect the client's coping skills, social relationships, and self-esteem.

Choice C reason:

The client's family history and genetic risk factors is not an important data to collect because MS is not a hereditary disease. Although genetic factors may play a role in increasing the susceptibility to MS, they are not sufficient to cause the disease by themselves. MS is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors that trigger an autoimmune response in the central nervous system. Therefore, knowing the client's family history and genetic risk factors will not help in diagnosing or managing MS.

Choice D reason:

The client's vision and hearing acuity is an important data to collect because MS can affect the optic nerve and cause visual disturbances, such as blurred vision, double vision, loss of color vision, pain in the eye, or temporary blindness. Visual disturbances are often the first symptom of MS and can recur or worsen over time. MS can also affect the auditory nerve and cause hearing problems, such as hearing loss, tinnitus, or vertigo. Hearing problems are less common than visual problems in MS but can still affect the client's communication and quality of life.

Choice E reason:

The client's mobility and coordination skills is an important data to collect because MS can damage the nerve fibers that control muscle movements and cause spasticity, tremors, ataxia, dysmetria, or dysdiadochokinesia. These symptoms can affect the client's mobility and coordination skills and increase the risk of falls, injuries, or disability. Assessing the client's mobility and coordination skills can help in planning interventions to improve function, safety, and independence.