ATI RN
NCLEX Questions for Oxygenation Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who is complaining of severe pain. What is the priority nursing intervention?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Administer analgesics. The priority nursing intervention for a postoperative patient experiencing severe pain is to address the pain first to ensure patient comfort and improve recovery. Administering analgesics will help alleviate the patient's pain and promote their well-being. IV fluids (choice B) may be necessary but addressing pain takes precedence. Antiemetics (choice C) may be needed if the patient is experiencing nausea or vomiting, but pain management is the immediate priority. Administering analgesics (choice A) is the most appropriate and urgent intervention to prioritize the patient's comfort and recovery.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of hypertension who is complaining of dizziness and headache. What is the priority action?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Administer oral antihypertensives. The priority action for a patient with hypertension experiencing dizziness and headache is to address the underlying cause of the symptoms, which is likely elevated blood pressure. Administering oral antihypertensives will help lower the patient's blood pressure and alleviate the symptoms. Explanation: 1. Assess the patient's vital signs to confirm hypertension. 2. Administering oral antihypertensives is a quick and effective way to lower blood pressure. 3. Monitoring the patient's response to the medication is crucial. 4. Administering oxygen therapy (Choice C) is not the priority as the symptoms are likely due to hypertension, not hypoxia. 5. Administering antihypertensive medication (Choice A) or a beta-blocker (Choice B) via other routes may not be as quick or effective as oral medications.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of asthma. The patient is experiencing an asthma attack. What is the priority intervention?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer a bronchodilator. During an asthma attack, the priority intervention is to quickly open the airways to improve breathing. Bronchodilators work rapidly to relax and widen the airways, providing immediate relief. This intervention takes precedence over administering corticosteroids, monitoring vital signs, or administering antibiotics, which are not the primary interventions for managing an acute asthma attack. Corticosteroids are used to reduce inflammation over time, while monitoring vital signs is important but not the immediate priority. Administering antibiotics is not indicated unless there is a clear indication of a bacterial infection.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of stroke who is exhibiting facial drooping. What is the priority intervention?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer pain relief. In a patient exhibiting facial drooping, the priority intervention is to assess for stroke symptoms, specifically to rule out a current stroke. Administering pain relief can help determine if the drooping is due to a stroke or another cause. Administering nitroglycerin (B) is not appropriate for facial drooping. Monitoring oxygen saturation levels (C) is important but not the priority in this situation. Administering analgesics (D) is similar to pain relief but does not address the urgency of assessing for stroke symptoms.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse prepares a patient with a left-sided pleural effusion for a thoracentesis. How should the nurse position the patient?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Sitting upright with arms supported facilitates access to the pleural space and promotes comfort and lung expansion during thoracentesis.