A patient is having dyspnea. What would the nurse do first?
Take the blood pressure
Remove the pillow from under the patient’s head
Elevate the foot of the bed
Elevate the head of the bed
The Correct Answer is A
A. Take the blood pressure:
Assessing blood pressure is a critical initial step when a patient is experiencing dyspnea. It helps provide information about the patient's overall cardiovascular status, which is essential in determining the severity of the dyspnea and guiding subsequent interventions.
B. Remove the pillow from under the patient’s head:
Removing the pillow may be a relevant intervention if the patient is in a position that could be contributing to respiratory distress. However, the priority is to first assess vital signs, particularly blood pressure, to gather information about the patient's cardiovascular status.
C. Elevate the foot of the bed:
Elevating the foot of the bed may be a consideration if the dyspnea is related to conditions such as heart failure, where raising the legs can help reduce venous return and decrease the workload on the heart. However, the initial priority is to assess blood pressure to guide appropriate interventions.
D. Elevate the head of the bed:
Elevating the head of the bed may be beneficial for patients with respiratory distress to improve ventilation and oxygenation. While this intervention may be appropriate, the first action should be to assess vital signs, particularly blood pressure, to gain an overall understanding of the patient's condition.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["2"]
Explanation
To administer the ordered dose of digoxin, you need to calculate how many tablets of the available strength are equivalent to 0.25 mg. You can use the formula:
Ordered dose / Available dose = Number of tablets
Plugging in the values, you get:
0.25 mg / 0.125 mg = 2 tablets
Therefore, you need to administer two tablets of digoxin 0.125 mg to give the ordered dose of 0.25 mg.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Adequacy of circulation:
This assessment is the highest priority for a client who has undergone a procedure to bypass arteries in the right leg. Monitoring for signs of adequate blood flow, such as color, temperature, capillary refill, and pulses in the operated leg, is critical to identify and address any circulation issues early.
B. Patency of airway:
While maintaining a patent airway is always a priority in postoperative care, it is not the immediate concern in a client who has just undergone a leg bypass procedure. Airway management is essential, but assessing circulation in the operated limb takes precedence.
C. Movement of lower leg:
Assessing movement of the lower leg is important for detecting signs of impaired motor function or complications. However, it is secondary to assessing the adequacy of circulation, which is critical for preventing ischemia and other circulatory issues.
D. Neurovascular status of the left leg:
While monitoring the neurovascular status of the left leg is a valid aspect of the overall assessment, the priority in the immediate postoperative period is to assess the surgical site (right leg) to ensure that blood flow is adequate and that there are no immediate complications.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today