The nurse has been assigned to care for a 62 year-old man. After introducing herself to the patient and explaining that she will be performing a nursing assessment, what is the first area to be assessed after taking vital signs?
assess for level of consciousness and orientation
check for pitting edema
assess the skin
listen to lung sounds
The Correct Answer is A
A. Assess for level of consciousness and orientation – Level of consciousness (LOC) and orientation are crucial in evaluating neurological status, overall health, and potential signs of deterioration. This assessment provides immediate information about the patient’s cognitive function and responsiveness.
B. Check for pitting edema – Assessing for pitting edema is important but is not the first priority unless the patient has signs of fluid overload or heart failure.
C. Assess the skin – Skin assessment is essential but should be performed after ensuring the patient's neurological stability.
D. Listen to lung sounds – While lung auscultation is an important part of the assessment, it follows after assessing consciousness and orientation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Etiology – Etiology refers to the study of the causes or origins of disease, including risk factors and contributing conditions.
B. Focused assessment – A focused assessment is a nursing evaluation targeted toward a specific complaint or condition, not the study of disease causes.
C. Epidemiology – Epidemiology is the study of disease patterns and spread within populations, rather than individual causes.
D. Diagnostics – Diagnostics refers to tests and procedures used to identify diseases, not the study of their causes.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Apnea- Apnea is the absence of breathing, typically seen in conditions like sleep apnea or respiratory arrest.
B. Orthopnea – Orthopnea refers to difficulty breathing when lying flat, which improves when sitting or standing. It is commonly seen in conditions like heart failure and chronic lung disease.
C. Tachypnea – Tachypnea is an increased respiratory rate, often caused by fever, anxiety, or metabolic acidosis.
D. Dyspnea – Dyspnea is the general term for difficulty breathing, which can occur in various conditions but does not specify the need to sit or stand for relief.
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