A patient is being admitted with an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). What is the priority nursing action?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer oxygen therapy. In COPD exacerbation, there is inadequate oxygenation due to impaired lung function. Administering oxygen therapy is the priority to improve oxygen levels and prevent hypoxia. Oxygen therapy helps reduce the work of breathing and decrease the workload on the heart. It is crucial to address hypoxemia promptly to prevent further complications. Summary: - Option B: Administering a bronchodilator can help improve airflow but is not the priority in a COPD exacerbation. - Option C: Administering fluids and electrolytes may be needed, but oxygen therapy takes precedence in improving oxygenation. - Option D: Encouraging deep breathing exercises is beneficial but not as urgent as providing oxygen therapy to address hypoxemia.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Place the patient on NPO status. This is crucial to prevent aspiration during surgery. NPO status ensures the patient's stomach is empty, reducing the risk of vomiting and aspiration of stomach contents during anesthesia induction. Explanation (B) and (C) are important but not the immediate priority. Performing a preoperative assessment (D) is also important but not as critical as ensuring the patient is NPO to prevent complications during surgery.

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.

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.

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.