A patient with a history of heart failure is experiencing shortness of breath. What should the nurse do first?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer oxygen. Oxygen administration is the priority in a patient with heart failure experiencing shortness of breath to improve oxygenation and reduce workload on the heart. Oxygen therapy helps alleviate symptoms and prevent further complications. Administering morphine (choice B) is not the first priority as it can depress the respiratory system and mask important symptoms. Monitoring respiratory status (choice C) is important but providing oxygen takes precedence to address the immediate need for improved oxygenation. Choice D is a duplicate of choice A, making it incorrect.

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.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: For a patient with acute shortness of breath, the priority is to quickly gather relevant information about the current episode to guide immediate care, rather than delaying for a full assessment or tests.