What Would the Nurse Do FIRST?
A patient reports dizziness when standing for the first time after surgery. What should the nurse do first?
What is have the patient sit back down?
Polyuria, polydipsia, and hyperglycemia are classic findings of this disorder.
What is diabetes?
This common medication is used to reverse an opioid overdose.
What is narcan?
A blood glucose of 48 mg/dL is described using this term.
What is hypoglycemia?
The nurse has four patients. Which should be assessed first?
A. Patient requesting pain medication for 7/10 pain
B. Patient with an SpO₂ of 86%
C. Patient waiting for discharge instructions
D. Patient requesting assistance to the bathroom
Who is patient B?
A patient receiving a blood transfusion develops chills and lower back pain. What should the nurse do first?
What is stop the tranfusion?
Facial drooping, arm weakness, and difficulty speaking should make the nurse immediately suspect this condition.
What is CVA/stroke?
Before administering digoxin, the nurse should assess this vital sign.
What is apical pulse/HR?
A hemoglobin of 7 g/dL is significantly low and may impair the blood's ability to perform this function.
What is carry oxygen?
Which task is appropriate for the RN to delegate to an experienced UAP?
A. Teach a patient how to use an incentive spirometer
B. Assess a patient's new complaint of chest pain
C. Obtain routine vital signs on a stable patient
D. Evaluate whether pain medication was effective
What is C?
A patient with diabetes is awake, shaky, diaphoretic, and has a blood glucose of 52 mg/dL. What should the nurse do first?
What is give 15 g of quick acting carbohydrates?
A patient reports crushing chest pressure radiating to the left arm with diaphoresis and nausea.
What is myocardial infarction?
Patients taking this class of medications, including lisinopril, may develop a persistent dry cough.
What are ACE inhibitors?
A potassium of 2.6 mEq/L puts the patient at increased risk for this potentially serious cardiac complication.
What is dysrhythmia?
A patient with C. difficile requires this type of transmission-based precautions.
What is contact precautions?
A postoperative patient suddenly reports shortness of breath and has an SpO₂ of 82%. What should the nurse prioritize?
What is oxygenation/airway and breathing?
A patient has severe abdominal pain that begins around the umbilicus and later localizes to the right lower quadrant.
What is appendicitis?
This electrolyte should be monitored closely in a patient receiving furosemide (Lasix).
What is lasix?
A patient taking warfarin has an INR of 6.0. The nurse recognizes the patient is at greatest risk for this complication.
What is bleeding?
Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. COPD patient with an SpO₂ of 91%
B. Postoperative patient reporting pain 8/10
C. Asthma patient who suddenly has diminished breath sounds
D. Patient with diabetes and a glucose of 210 mg/dL
Who is patient C?
The nurse enters a room and finds a patient having a generalized tonic-clonic seizure in bed. What is the priority nursing action?
What is protect the patient from injury?
A diabetic patient presents with confusion, fruity breath, Kussmaul respirations, hyperglycemia, and positive ketones.
What is diabetic ketoacidosis?
A patient receiving heparin develops serious bleeding. The nurse anticipates administration of this antidote.
What is protamine sulfate?
ABG results are pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 52 mmHg, and HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L. Identify the acid-base imbalance.
What is metabolic acidosis?
The RN is working with an LPN/LVN and UAP. Which patient should the RN keep?
A. Stable patient requiring a routine dressing change
B. Stable patient requiring morning hygiene
C. Newly admitted patient with chest pain
D. Stable patient requiring scheduled oral medications
Who is patient C?