A nurse is conducting an initial assessment for a client who was admitted with pneumonia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take during this phase of the nursing process?

Choice A reason:

Asking about family history of heart disease or stroke is not a priority question for a client who is experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. This question may be relevant for assessing the client's risk factors, but it does not address the immediate problem or help to determine the cause of the symptoms. Therefore, this is not the best choice.

Choice B reason:

Asking how long the client has been feeling this way is a priority question for a client who is experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. This question helps to determine the onset and duration of the symptoms, which are important factors for diagnosing and treating the client. For example, if the client has been feeling this way for more than 20 minutes, it may indicate a myocardial infarction (heart attack), which requires urgent intervention. Therefore, this is the best choice.

Choice C reason:

Asking about medications or supplements is not a priority question for a client who is experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. This question may be relevant for assessing the client's medical history and possible drug interactions, but it does not address the immediate problem or help to determine the cause of the symptoms. Therefore, this is not the best choice.

Choice D reason:

Asking what the client was doing when the pain started is not a priority question for a client who is experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. This question may be relevant for assessing the possible triggers or precipitating factors of the symptoms, but it does not address the immediate problem or help to determine the cause of the symptoms. Therefore, this is not the best choice.

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.