The newly licensed RN overhears two nurses talking in the elevator about a client who will lose her leg because of negligence of the staff. Which action by the newly licensed RN would be implemented first?

Choice A reason: Assessing blood pressure monitors fluid overload but doesn’t immediately reduce respiratory strain. Elevating the head of the bed improves breathing, making this incorrect, as it’s less urgent than the nurse’s first action to prevent harm from fluid overload.

Choice B reason: Measuring intake and output tracks fluid balance but is less immediate than elevating the bed to ease breathing. This is incorrect, as it delays the nurse’s priority action to alleviate respiratory distress in a client with suspected fluid overload.

Choice C reason: Elevating the head of the bed is the first action to reduce respiratory distress in fluid overload by decreasing venous return. This aligns with acute care priorities, making it the correct action to prevent harm in the client with suspected hypervolemia.

Choice D reason: Checking for dependent edema confirms fluid overload but doesn’t address immediate respiratory risks. Elevating the bed is urgent, making this incorrect, as it’s secondary to the nurse’s first action to improve breathing in the fluid-overloaded client.

Choice A reason: Avoiding submersion until the incision heals prevents infection in a new pacemaker site. This aligns with post-implant care, making it a correct instruction the nurse would include to ensure proper healing and device safety for the client.

Choice B reason: Reporting pulse rates below pacemaker settings indicates potential device failure, requiring prompt evaluation. This aligns with pacemaker monitoring, making it a correct instruction the nurse would teach the client to ensure device function and cardiac stability.

Choice C reason: Applying pressure over the generator doesn’t address weakness and may harm the device. Reporting low pulse rates is correct, making this incorrect, as it’s not a valid instruction for the nurse to include in pacemaker teaching.

Choice D reason: Pacemakers aren’t turned off for MRI; MRI-compatible devices or alternatives are used. Arm movement restriction is correct, making this incorrect, as it’s inaccurate compared to the nurse’s proper instructions for pacemaker care and MRI safety.

Choice E reason: Avoiding arm lifting above the shoulder for 8 weeks prevents lead dislodgement in a new pacemaker. This aligns with post-implant restrictions, making it a correct instruction the nurse would include to protect the device’s integrity.