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Clinical Manifestations of PE
Clinical Manifestations of PE ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a client who has a pulmonary embolism.
The client reports sudden onset of dyspnea and chest pain.
What is the priority action by the nurse?
Administer oxygen therapy.The priority action by the nurse for a client who has a pulmonary embolism is to increase perfusion and oxygenation by providing oxygen therapy.
This can help reduce hypoxemia, dyspnea, and chest pain.
Oxygen therapy can also prevent further clotting and pulmonary vasoconstriction.
Obtaining a chest x-ray is not the immediate action for a client with a pulmonary embolism.A chest x-ray can help confirm the diagnosis, but it is not a priority over oxygen therapy.
Starting an IV line is not the first action for a client with a pulmonary embolism.An IV line can facilitate the administration of fluids and medications, such as anticoagulants and thrombolytics, but it is not as urgent as oxygen therapy.
Giving morphine for pain is not the most important action for a client with a pulmonary embolism.Morphine can help relieve pain and anxiety, but it can also depress respiration and lower blood pressure, which can worsen the condition of the client.
The correct answer is choice A. Administer oxygen therapy. The priority action by the nurse for a client who has a pulmonary embolism is to increase perfusion and oxygenation by providing oxygen therapy.
This can help reduce hypoxemia, dyspnea, and chest pain.
Oxygen therapy can also prevent further clotting and pulmonary vasoconstriction.
Choice B is wrong because obtaining a chest x-ray is not the immediate action for a client with a pulmonary embolism. A chest x-ray can help confirm the diagnosis, but it is not a priority over oxygen therapy.
Choice C is wrong because starting an IV line is not the first action for a client with a pulmonary embolism. An IV line can facilitate the administration of fluids and medications, such as anticoagulants and thrombolytics, but it is not as urgent as oxygen therapy.
Choice D is wrong because giving morphine for pain is not the most important action for a client with a pulmonary embolism. Morphine can help relieve pain and anxiety, but it can also depress respiration and lower blood pressure, which can worsen the condition of the client.
Normal ranges for oxygen saturation are 95% to 100%.
Normal ranges for blood pressure are 120/80 mmHg or lower.
Normal ranges for heart rate are 60 to 100 beats per minute. Normal ranges for respiratory rate are 12 to 20 breaths per minute.