Where will the restraints be tied to the patient’s bed when the nurse is applying soft wrist restraints to the patient?

Choice A reason: This is incorrect. Documenting the finding in the patient’s medical record is an important step, but not the most appropriate first action of the nurse. The nurse should first confirm the irregularity by counting the apical pulse.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect. Assessing the brachial pulse for a pulse deficit is a useful technique, but not the most appropriate first action of the nurse. A pulse deficit is the difference between the apical and radial pulse rates. The nurse should first count the apical pulse before comparing it with the radial pulse.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect. Notifying the health care provider immediately is a necessary step, but not the most appropriate first action of the nurse. The nurse should first gather more information by counting the apical pulse and determining the type and severity of the irregularity.

Choice D reason: This is correct. Counting the patient’s apical pulse for one full minute is the most appropriate first action of the nurse. The apical pulse is the most accurate way to measure the heart rate and rhythm. The nurse should listen to the heart sounds at the apex of the heart, which is located at the fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line. The nurse should count the number of beats and note any irregularities, such as skipped, extra, or uneven beats..

Choice A reason: This is an incorrect choice because the patient has a history of noncompliance with prescribed therapeutic regimens is not a reason why this nursing diagnosis is considered to be a collaborative problem. A collaborative problem is a potential or actual health problem that requires the intervention of multiple health care professionals from different disciplines to achieve optimal patient outcomes. The patient's history of noncompliance is not related to the nature of the problem or the type of intervention required.

Choice B reason: This is an incorrect choice because the patient must be closely monitored in an intensive care unit is not a reason why this nursing diagnosis is considered to be a collaborative problem. A collaborative problem is a potential or actual health problem that requires the intervention of multiple health care professionals from different disciplines to achieve optimal patient outcomes. The patient's need for close monitoring is not related to the nature of the problem or the type of intervention required.

Choice C reason: This is an incorrect choice because prevention of septic shock is not a measurable patient outcome is not a reason why this nursing diagnosis is considered to be a collaborative problem. A collaborative problem is a potential or actual health problem that requires the intervention of multiple health care professionals from different disciplines to achieve optimal patient outcomes. The measurability of the patient outcome is not related to the nature of the problem or the type of intervention required.

Choice D reason: This is the correct choice because both nursing and physician-prescribed interventions are required is a reason why this nursing diagnosis is considered to be a collaborative problem. A collaborative problem is a potential or actual health problem that requires the intervention of multiple health care professionals from different disciplines to achieve optimal patient outcomes. The problem of septic shock is a complex and life-threatening condition that involves multiple organ systems and requires both medical and nursing interventions to prevent, treat, and monitor the patient's status.