Days after surgical fixation of a fractured femur, a client suddenly reports chest pain and difficulty in breathing. The nurse suspects that the client had a pulmonary embolus. Which action should the nurse take first?
Notify the healthcare provider.
Prepare a continuous heparin infusion per protocol.
Provide supplemental oxygen.
Bring the emergency crash cart to the bedside.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice C reason: providing supplemental oxygen is the first action that the nurse should take for a client who has a suspected pulmonary embolus. A pulmonary embolus is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs and blocks the blood flow, causing hypoxia and respiratory distress. The nurse should administer oxygen to improve the client's oxygenation and prevent further complications.
Choice A reason: notifying the healthcare provider is not the first action that the nurse should take for a client who has a suspected pulmonary embolus. The nurse should notify the healthcare provider after providing supplemental oxygen and assessing the client's vital signs and symptoms.
Choice B reason: preparing a continuous heparin infusion per protocol is not the first action that the nurse should take for a client who has a suspected pulmonary embolus. Heparin is an anticoagulant that can prevent further clot formation and reduce the risk of recurrence, but it does not dissolve existing clots or improve oxygenation. The nurse should prepare a heparin infusion after obtaining a prescription from the healthcare provider and confirming the diagnosis with diagnostic tests.
Choice D reason: bringing the emergency crash cart to the bedside is not the first action that the nurse should take for a client who has a suspected pulmonary embolus. The emergency crash cart contains equipment and medications that can be used in case of cardiac arrest or other emergencies, but it does not address the immediate need of oxygenation. The nurse should bring the emergency crash cart to the bedside after providing supplemental oxygen and assessing the client's condition.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Assessing pupillary response to light hourly is not an intervention that the nurse should implement while administering dopamine, as this is not related to the effects or side effects of dopamine. This is a distractor choice.
Choice B reason: Initiating seizure precautions is not an intervention that the nurse should implement while administering dopamine, as this is not a common or expected complication of dopamine. This is another distractor choice.
Choice C reason: Monitoring serum potassium frequently is not an intervention that the nurse should implement while administering dopamine, as this is not affected by dopamine or hypotension. This is another distractor choice.
Choice D reason: Measuring urinary output every hour is an intervention that the nurse should implement while administering dopamine, as this can indicate the effectiveness of dopamine in improving renal perfusion and blood pressure. Therefore, this is the correct choice.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Securing chest tube to the stretcher for transport is not the most important action for the nurse to take. Chest tube is a device that drains air or fluid from the pleural space or mediastinum after surgery or trauma. Securing chest tube to the stretcher can prevent accidental dislodgement or kinking of the tube during transport, but it is not as crucial as maintaining proper drainage.
Choice B reason: Marking the amount of chest drainage on the container is not the most important action for the nurse to take. Chest drainage is the fluid or air that collects in the chest tube container after being drained from the pleural space or mediastinum. Marking the amount of chest drainage on the container can help monitor fluid balance and detect excessive bleeding or leakage, but it is not as vital as ensuring proper drainage.
Choice C reason: This is the correct answer because keeping chest tube container below the site of insertion is the most important action for the nurse to take. Chest tube container is a device that collects air or fluid from the chest tube and maintains negative pressure in the pleural space or mediastinum. Keeping chest tube container below the site of insertion can prevent backflow of air or fluid into the chest cavity and maintain adequate drainage. If the chest tube container is raised above the site of insertion, it can cause tension pneumothorax, which is a life-threatening condition that occurs when air accumulates in the pleural space and compresses the lung and heart.
Choice D reason: Administering PRN pain medication prior to transport is not a timely action for the nurse to take. Pain medication is a drug that relieves pain by blocking pain signals or reducing inflammation. Administering pain medication prior to transport can improve comfort and reduce anxiety for the client, but it is not as urgent as preventing complications.
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