What is the most important action when caring for a client with respiratory distress?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Administering oxygen is the most important action for a client with respiratory distress because it helps improve oxygen levels in the blood and supports breathing. Oxygen therapy can prevent hypoxia and reduce respiratory workload. Corticosteroids, bronchodilators, and analgesics may be beneficial in specific situations, but they are not the primary intervention for respiratory distress. Corticosteroids reduce inflammation, bronchodilators help open airways, and analgesics provide pain relief but do not directly address the underlying issue of inadequate oxygenation. Administering oxygen should always be the first priority in managing respiratory distress.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because asking the patient to rate pain intensity using a scale (like 0-10) provides a standardized measure of pain perception. This quantitative data helps healthcare providers assess pain severity accurately and track changes over time. Asking about allergies (B) is important but not directly related to pain assessment. Asking the patient to describe the pain (C) provides qualitative information but may not be as reliable or consistent as a numerical rating. Measuring pain intensity using a scale (D) is similar to the correct answer but does not involve the patient's subjective input, which is crucial in pain assessment.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Secure the airway. This is the highest priority for a nurse treating a client with a stab wound to the chest because airway management is crucial for ensuring the client can breathe effectively. If the airway is compromised, the client may not be able to oxygenate properly, leading to serious complications or even death. Administering oxygen (choice B) can help with oxygenation but is not as critical as ensuring the airway is clear. Turning the client (choice C) or applying an abdominal binder (choice D) are not appropriate actions for a stab wound to the chest and would not address the immediate life-threatening issue of airway compromise.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because understanding the mother's pregnancy history can provide crucial insights into potential risk factors or exposures that could have contributed to the child's pneumonia. By knowing about the mother's smoking or drug use during pregnancy, the healthcare team can better assess the child's overall health and potential underlying conditions. Choice A is incorrect as it dismisses the importance of the question and fails to address the potential significance of the information. Choice B is incorrect as it downplays the relevance of the question, which is essential for gathering comprehensive information for the child's care. Choice C is incorrect as it makes an unsupported and potentially misleading statement about the direct cause of pneumonia without considering other factors.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because validating the data by asking a colleague to listen to the breath sounds helps to ensure accuracy and reliability. It allows for a second opinion to confirm the nurse's assessment and prevents any potential misinterpretation. This collaborative approach promotes patient safety and quality care. Choices A and D are incorrect as they do not address the immediate need for validation and may delay appropriate intervention. Choice B is also incorrect as it does not ensure the accuracy of the assessment and may lead to miscommunication or incorrect treatment decisions.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Step 1: Stroke patients are at increased risk for DVT due to immobility. Step 2: Monitoring for DVT signs is crucial for early detection and prevention. Step 3: Prompt intervention can prevent life-threatening complications. Step 4: Encouraging mobility (Choice A) is important but not the priority. Step 5: Administering antihypertensive meds (Choice C) may be necessary but not the priority. Step 6: Providing psychological support (Choice D) is important but not as critical as DVT monitoring.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Diagnostic reasoning. When formulating diagnostic statements, nurses use diagnostic reasoning to analyze data, identify patterns, and make accurate clinical judgments. This process involves critical thinking and synthesizing information to reach a conclusion. Physical assessment skills (C) are important in data collection but not the primary focus in formulating diagnostic statements. Rationale (A) refers to providing reasons or justifications and is not directly related to the diagnostic process. American Nurses Association recommendations (B) may guide nursing practice but are not specifically used in formulating diagnostic statements.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer IV fluids. This is the most important nursing intervention for a client with severe dehydration because IV fluids provide rapid rehydration and help restore electrolyte balance efficiently. Monitoring vital signs (choice B) is important but not as crucial as providing immediate fluid replacement. Providing oral rehydration (choice C) may not be effective for severe dehydration as the client may have difficulty absorbing fluids orally. Administering oxygen (choice D) is not directly related to treating dehydration, so it is not the most important intervention in this scenario.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because HIPAA regulates the privacy and security of protected health information. This includes how healthcare providers, insurers, and other entities handle and safeguard patient information to ensure confidentiality. Choice A is incorrect as HIPAA does not dictate who provides client care. Choice C is incorrect as HIPAA focuses on the protection of health information, not how insurance information is obtained. Choice D is incorrect as HIPAA does not specify where a chart can be stored, but rather how the information within it is protected.