A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who is having difficulty breathing. Which is the priority nursing intervention?

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Question 1 of 5

A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who is having difficulty breathing. Which is the priority nursing intervention?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer oxygen. This is the priority intervention because the patient is having difficulty breathing, indicating possible respiratory distress. Administering oxygen will help improve oxygenation and support the patient's respiratory function. Checking vital signs is important but addressing the breathing difficulty takes precedence. Administering pain medication or a sedative is not appropriate without addressing the underlying cause of respiratory distress. Oxygen therapy should be initiated promptly to ensure the patient's safety and well-being.

Question 2 of 5

A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving mechanical ventilation. The patient is showing signs of respiratory distress. What is the priority intervention?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The priority intervention in this scenario is to administer a nebulized bronchodilator (Choice B). This is because the patient is showing signs of respiratory distress, indicating a need for immediate bronchodilation to improve airway patency and ventilation. Checking the ventilator settings (Choice A) is important but not the priority when the patient is in distress. Administering bronchodilator therapy (Choice C) is similar to Choice B but is less specific and may not be as immediate. Administering insulin (Choice D) is not relevant in this situation since the patient's respiratory distress is the primary concern.

Question 3 of 5

A nurse is caring for a patient who has just undergone surgery and is experiencing hypotension. What is the priority intervention?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer IV fluids. Hypotension following surgery can indicate hypovolemia, so the priority is to increase fluid volume to improve perfusion to vital organs. Administering IV fluids will help increase blood pressure and improve circulation. Administering a vasopressor (B) should only be considered if fluid resuscitation is unsuccessful. Elevating the patient's legs (C) may help in some cases, but IV fluids are more critical. Monitoring vital signs (D) is important, but addressing the underlying cause of hypotension is the priority.

Question 4 of 5

A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of hypertension who is experiencing chest pain. What is the priority nursing intervention?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer morphine. Chest pain in a patient with a history of hypertension may indicate a myocardial infarction. Morphine is essential to alleviate pain and reduce myocardial oxygen demand. Nitroglycerin may lower blood pressure, which can be dangerous in a hypertensive patient. Aspirin is important for antiplatelet effects but not the immediate priority. Administering an antihypertensive is not necessary as the priority is managing chest pain.

Question 5 of 5

A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of heart failure. The patient is complaining of shortness of breath. What is the priority action?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer oxygen. In a patient with heart failure experiencing shortness of breath, the priority action is to ensure adequate oxygenation. Oxygen therapy helps to improve oxygen saturation levels, alleviate symptoms, and prevent further complications. Administering IV fluids (choice B) may worsen heart failure by increasing fluid overload. Administering pain relief (choice C) is not the priority when the patient is experiencing respiratory distress. Administering antiplatelet therapy (choice D) is not the immediate priority in this situation.

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