The nurse receives new orders for multiple clients. Which order should be the nurse's priority?

Nitroglycerin 0.4 mg sublingually STAT for the client experiencing chest pain.

Lorazepam 2 mg IV now for the client experiencing restlessness and picking at tubing.

Morphine sulfate 4 mg IV now for the client experiencing incisional pain.

One unit packed red blood cells STAT for the client with hemoglobin of 9.5 g/dL.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason:

Administering Nitroglycerin 0.4 mg sublingually STAT for the client experiencing chest pain should be the nurse's priority because chest pain can be indicative of a myocardial infarction (heart attack), which is a medical emergency. Quick administration of Nitroglycerin can help to relieve chest pain, improve blood flow to the heart, and prevent further cardiac damage.

Choice B reason:

While administering Lorazepam 2 mg IV for the client experiencing restlessness and picking at tubing is important for patient safety and comfort, it is not as urgent as addressing potential cardiac issues indicated by chest pain.

Choice C reason:

Administering Morphine sulfate 4 mg IV for incisional pain management is necessary for the patient’s comfort and pain control but is not as critical as treating potential life-threatening chest pain.

Choice D reason:

Administering one unit of packed red blood cells STAT for the client with a hemoglobin of 9.5 g/dL is important but does not take precedence over the immediate risk of a myocardial infarction. The hemoglobin level, while low, is not immediately life-threatening compared to the chest pain scenario.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason:

A Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score that improves from 9 to 12 indicates a positive trend in the patient's neurological status. While monitoring is still required, this patient is not the highest priority.

Choice B reason:

A patient requesting pain medication for a new onset headache needs attention, but this is not as urgent as a significant decline in the Glasgow Coma Scale score, which can indicate a deterioration in neurological function.

Choice C reason:

A Glasgow Coma Scale score that drops from 10 to 8 signifies a significant decline in the patient's neurological status, indicating potential worsening of the condition. This patient requires immediate assessment and intervention to identify and address the cause of the deterioration.

Choice D reason:

A patient with a moderate brain injury who is amnesic for the event needs ongoing monitoring, but this is not as urgent as addressing a significant drop in the Glasgow Coma Scale score.

A. Complete a Glasgow Coma Scale assessment. B. Apply pressure to any areas of uncontrolled bleeding. C. Place an indwelling Foley catheter to monitor urine output.

Correct Answer is B,A,C

Explanation

Choice A reason:

Completing a Glasgow Coma Scale assessment is crucial in evaluating the neurological status of a patient with a suspected traumatic cervical spine injury. However, it should be done after ensuring that there is no uncontrolled bleeding.

Choice B reason:

Applying pressure to any areas of uncontrolled bleeding is the highest priority. Controlling bleeding is essential to prevent hypovolemic shock and maintain hemodynamic stability, which takes precedence over other assessments and interventions.

Choice C reason:

Placing an indwelling Foley catheter to monitor urine output is important for ongoing assessment of renal function and fluid balance. However, it is not the immediate priority compared to controlling bleeding and assessing neurological status.

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The nurse receives new orders for multiple clients. Which order should be the nurse's priority?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for four patients in the neurologic intensive care unit. After receiving the hand-off report, which patient does the nurse see first?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected traumatic cervical spine injury who just arrived to the emergency department. The nurse knows the priority actions for caring for this patient include all of the following. Place the actions in order of priority.

Correct Answer is B,A,C

Explanation

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