What should the nurse assess first in a client with severe abdominal pain?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Assess vital signs. Vital signs provide crucial information on the client's overall condition and can help identify any life-threatening issues. Monitoring vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature can guide immediate interventions and determine the urgency of further assessments or treatments. Administering oxygen (B) would be appropriate after assessing vital signs. Performing an ECG (C) may be indicated later but is not the priority in this acute situation. Monitoring serum glucose levels (D) is not typically the first assessment in a client with severe abdominal pain.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct first intervention for a client suspected of having a stroke is to perform a CT scan (Choice B). This is because a CT scan can quickly identify the type of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) and guide treatment decisions. Monitoring neurological status (Choice A) can be important but does not provide a definitive diagnosis. Administering fibrinolytics (Choice C) should only be done after confirming the type of stroke to avoid complications. Performing an MRI (Choice D) is more time-consuming and may not be feasible in the acute setting where quick intervention is crucial. Therefore, a CT scan is the most appropriate initial intervention for a suspected stroke.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer oxygen. ARDS is characterized by severe hypoxemia, and oxygen therapy is essential to improve oxygenation. Administering corticosteroids (B) is not recommended as they do not improve outcomes in ARDS. Monitoring serum glucose (C) is unrelated to the treatment of ARDS. Administering pain relief (D) is important for patient comfort but does not address the underlying hypoxemia in ARDS. Oxygen therapy is the primary treatment to support respiratory function and improve oxygen delivery in ARDS.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer antibiotics. Antibiotics are crucial in treating wound infections as they target and eliminate the infection-causing bacteria, preventing the infection from spreading and promoting healing. Applying a cold compress (choice B) or heat (choice C) may provide temporary relief but do not address the underlying infection. Administering IV fluids (choice D) may be necessary for hydration, but it does not directly treat the infection. Antibiotics directly target the infection, making it the most important intervention for a client with a wound infection.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer antiemetics. Antiemetics help alleviate nausea and vomiting by blocking neurotransmitters in the brain. This intervention directly targets the symptoms and provides relief for the client. Administering fluids (B) may help with hydration but does not address the root cause. Administering analgesics (C) is for pain relief, not for nausea and vomiting. Monitoring electrolytes (D) is important but does not directly treat the symptoms. Therefore, administering antiemetics is the most appropriate intervention for severe nausea and vomiting.