A patient undergoes left above-the-knee amputation with an immediate prosthetic fitting.When the patient arrives on the orthopedic unit after surgery, which action should the nurse take?

Choice A rationale

Notifying the healthcare provider is necessary, but assessing the client's condition comes first to provide relevant information.

Choice B rationale

Assessing the client's vital signs and telemetry monitor is the first step to determine the cause of chest pain and ensure it is not due to a life-threatening issue such as myocardial infarction.

Choice C rationale

Encouraging the client to take deep breaths can be helpful but is not the first priority. It addresses pain related to breathing but not the underlying cause.

Choice D rationale

Administering pain medication is important, but only after determining the cause of the chest pain and ruling out serious complications.

Choice A rationale

Using the inhaler before engaging in physical activity helps to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm, which is common in patients with COPD.

Choice B rationale

Skipping doses if symptoms improve is not recommended as it can lead to suboptimal control of COPD and potential exacerbations.

Choice C rationale

Using the inhaler only when experiencing severe symptoms is not effective in managing COPD. Regular use as prescribed helps maintain lung function and prevent exacerbations.

Choice D rationale

Doubling the dose if symptoms do not improve immediately is not safe and can lead to adverse effects. Patients should follow the prescribed dosage and consult their healthcare provider if symptoms persist.