Which is the priority nursing diagnosis for a patient who has been diagnosed with Meniere’s disease?

Choice A reason: This is the correct choice because the patient’s lung sounds are diminished bilaterally with expiratory wheezes is an example of objective data. Objective data is observable and measurable information that can be verified by the nurse or other health care professionals. The nurse can use a stethoscope to listen to the patient’s lung sounds and document the findings.

Choice B reason: This is an incorrect choice because the patient worries that the insurance company will not pay the hospital bill is an example of subjective data. Subjective data is what the patient tells the nurse about their symptoms, feelings, perceptions, and concerns. The nurse cannot observe or measure the patient’s worry, but can only rely on the patient’s verbal report.

Choice C reason: This is an incorrect choice because the patient wonders if supplemental oxygen at home would be beneficial is an example of subjective data. Subjective data is what the patient tells the nurse about their symptoms, feelings, perceptions, and concerns. The nurse cannot observe or measure the patient’s wonder, but can only rely on the patient’s verbal report.

Choice D reason: This is an incorrect choice because the patient felt less short of breath after receiving a nebulizer treatment is an example of subjective data. Subjective data is what the patient tells the nurse about their symptoms, feelings, perceptions, and concerns. The nurse cannot observe or measure the patient’s feeling, but can only rely on the patient’s verbal report.

Choice A reason: This is a correct choice because checking the patient’s order list to determine if antiemetic medication has been prescribed for the patient is a priority action of the nurse who notes that the patient is nauseated due to medication side effects. This action is important to manage the patient's nausea and prevent vomiting, which can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and aspiration. The nurse should follow the physician's orders and administer the antiemetic medication as indicated.

Choice B reason: This is an incorrect choice because beginning teaching the patient about wound care management, taking care to avoid using terms that the patient might find upsetting, is not a priority action of the nurse who notes that the patient is nauseated due to medication side effects. This action is not appropriate to perform when the patient is feeling sick and uncomfortable, as it may impair the patient's learning ability and motivation. The nurse should postpone the teaching until the patient's nausea is resolved and the patient is ready to learn.

Choice C reason: This is a correct choice because providing measures to relieve the patient’s nausea and returning to teach about wound care when the patient is feeling better is a priority action of the nurse who notes that the patient is nauseated due to medication side effects. This action is essential to address the patient's immediate need and comfort, and to ensure that the patient receives the necessary education about wound care management at a suitable time. The nurse should provide measures such as offering clear liquids, crackers, or ginger, positioning the patient in a semi-Fowler's position, and providing a basin or emesis bag if needed.

Choice D reason: This is an incorrect choice because applying a cold cloth to the patient's forehead and maintaining a quiet odor-free environment for the patient is not a priority action of the nurse who notes that the patient is nauseated due to medication side effects. This action is a supportive measure that may help to soothe the patient's nausea, but it is not sufficient to treat the underlying cause or prevent further complications. The nurse should also check the patient's order list and administer the antiemetic medication if prescribed.

Choice E reason: This is an incorrect choice because documenting in the patient’s chart that teaching about wound care management was not done because the patient refused to learn is not a priority action of the nurse who notes that the patient is nauseated due to medication side effects. This action is a false and inaccurate documentation that does not reflect the patient's condition or the nurse's actions. The nurse should document the patient's nausea, the interventions provided, and the plan to resume the teaching when the patient is feeling better.