A patient with coronary artery disease (CAD) is admitted to the medical unit for testing.
The patient reports frequent episodes of angina over the past few days and is currently experiencing shortness of breath, nausea, and chest pressure.
After obtaining the patient’s vital signs, what should be the nurse’s next course of action?
Count and record the number of premature ventricular contractions per minute.
Apply oxygen via nasal cannula and adjust to maintain oxygen saturation above 93%.
Ensure troponin level assessments are scheduled every 3 to 6 hours for a series of three.
Initiate dim lighting, lower alarm volumes, and control traffic in and out of the room area.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Counting and recording the number of premature ventricular contractions per minute is not the immediate priority for a patient experiencing symptoms of angina and shortness of breath. While it is important to monitor the patient’s heart rhythm, the immediate priority is to address the patient’s symptoms and stabilize their condition.
Choice B rationale
Applying oxygen via a nasal cannula and adjusting to maintain oxygen saturation above 93% is the immediate priority for a patient experiencing symptoms of angina and shortness of breath. Oxygen therapy can help to relieve the symptoms of angina and improve the patient’s oxygen saturation.
Choice C rationale
Ensuring troponin level assessments are scheduled every 3 to 6 hours for a series of three is important for diagnosing a heart attack, but it is not the immediate priority. The immediate priority is to address the patient’s symptoms and stabilize their condition.
Choice D rationale
Initiating dim lighting, lowering alarm volumes, and controlling traffic in and out of the room area can help to create a calm and quiet environment for the patient. However, this is not the immediate priority. The immediate priority is to address the patient’s symptoms and stabilize their condition.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While nausea and vomiting can be side effects of eye surgery, they are not typically associated with acute pain deep within the eye following laser trabeculoplasty. Therefore, administering an antiemetic would not address the client’s primary complaint.
Choice B rationale
Acute pain deep within the eye following laser trabeculoplasty is not a typical postoperative symptom and could indicate a complication such as increased intraocular pressure or inflammation. Therefore, the nurse should report this complaint to the surgeon immediately for further evaluation.
Choice C rationale
While eye shields can help reduce photosensitivity after eye surgery, they would not typically alleviate acute pain deep within the eye. Therefore, this action would not address the client’s primary complaint.
Choice D rationale
While prophylactic antibiotics can help prevent infection after eye surgery, they would not typically alleviate acute pain deep within the eye. Therefore, this action would not address the client’s primary complaint.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Printing the electronic medical record (EMR) from the backup server may not be the most immediate action required. While having a backup of the EMR is important, it does not address the immediate issue of the system failure.
Choice B rationale
Waiting for notification that the system has been rebooted is a passive approach and may not be the most effective initial action. It does not address the immediate need to communicate the issue to the appropriate department.
Choice C rationale
Identifying information as a late entry in the record is a documentation practice that is used when charting is not completed in a timely manner. However, this action does not address the immediate issue of the system failure.
Choice D rationale
Notifying the information services department of the situation is the correct action. This allows the appropriate department to begin troubleshooting and resolving the issue. In the event of a system failure, the first step should be to report the issue so that it can be addressed as quickly as possible.
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
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.