The nurse is providing care for four patients: Patient A, diagnosed with emphysema and has an oxygen saturation of 94% on room air; Patient B, who is postoperative with a hemoglobin level of 8.2 mg/dL (82 g/L); Patient C, newly admitted with a potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L (3.8 mmol/L); and Patient D, who is scheduled for an appendectomy and has a white blood cell (WBC) count of 14,000 mm² (14 x 10°/L). What action should the nurse take next?

Choice A rationale

There is no indication that Patient D, who is scheduled for an appendectomy and has a white blood cell (WBC) count of 14,000 mm² (14 x 10°/L), needs to be transferred to an isolation room 24 hours prior to surgery.

Choice B rationale

Patient A, diagnosed with emphysema and has an oxygen saturation of 94% on room air, does not necessarily need an increase in oxygen. An oxygen saturation of 94% is within normal limits.

Choice C rationale

Patient B, who is postoperative with a hemoglobin level of 8.2 mg/dL (82 g/L), may require a blood transfusion. A hemoglobin level of 8.2 mg/dL is low, and having packed cells available is a prudent measure.

Choice D rationale

Patient C, newly admitted with a potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L (3.8 mmol/L), has a normal potassium level. Including a banana in the breakfast tray is not a priority.

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.