A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of asthma. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Administer a bronchodilator. This is the priority intervention because bronchodilators help to quickly open the airways during an asthma attack, improving breathing. Administering a bronchodilator is crucial for managing acute asthma symptoms. Encouraging the patient to avoid triggers (choice B) is important for long-term asthma management but not the priority during an acute attack. Administering an inhaled corticosteroid (choice C) is more for long-term control and prevention of asthma symptoms, not for immediate relief during an attack. Choice A is a duplicate of the correct answer and does not provide additional information.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Monitor the patient's oxygen saturation levels. The priority action is to assess the patient's oxygen saturation as the vital signs indicate potential hypoperfusion. This could be due to inadequate tissue oxygenation, which is critical to address to prevent further deterioration. Administering a vasopressor (A) may further decrease blood pressure. Administering a loop diuretic (B) is not appropriate as the patient is hypotensive. Administering short-acting insulin (C) is not indicated in this scenario. Monitoring oxygen saturation levels will provide crucial information on the patient's respiratory status and guide appropriate interventions.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Administer insulin therapy. Blurred vision in a patient with a history of diabetes indicates possible hyperglycemia, requiring immediate insulin therapy to lower blood glucose levels and prevent further complications. Administering insulin is the priority to address the root cause. Monitoring blood glucose levels (A) is important but not the priority over administering insulin therapy. Administering pain medication (B) and a pain reliever (D) are not appropriate actions for blurred vision in a diabetic patient.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Increase oxygen flow. In COPD, the priority is to maintain adequate oxygenation. Increasing oxygen flow helps improve oxygen saturation and relieve respiratory distress. Monitoring vital signs (B) is important but not the priority in this case. Administering insulin therapy (C and D) is irrelevant as it does not address the immediate respiratory needs of a patient with COPD.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer oxygen. In a patient with a history of MI complaining of shortness of breath, the priority is to ensure adequate oxygenation to prevent further cardiac complications. Administering oxygen will help improve oxygen saturation and reduce cardiac workload. Choice B (Administer a short-acting bronchodilator) is incorrect as bronchodilators are not the priority in this case. Choice C (Administer oxygen therapy) is essentially the same as the correct answer, but using the term "oxygen" alone is more specific and appropriate. Choice D (Administer antibiotics) is not indicated for shortness of breath in this context.