A nurse is caring for four clients on a medical-surgical unit. Which of the following clients should the nurse assess first?
A client who has COPD and the capillary refill time on both hands is 4 seconds
A client who has late-stage cirrhosis and whose breath has a fruity odor
A client who has a nasogastric tube for decompression and the gastric aspirate is green with a pH of 5.3
A client who had an indwelling urinary catheter removed 5 hr ago and has not voided
The Correct Answer is D
Rationale:
A. Capillary refill time of 4 seconds is concerning but less urgent compared to immediate post-catheter removal issues.
B. Fruity breath odor in late-stage cirrhosis could indicate a metabolic issue but is less immediate than issues related to urinary output.
C. Green gastric aspirate with a pH of 5.3 is within normal range for NG tube decompression.
D. A client who has not voided 5 hours after catheter removal is at risk for urinary retention or other complications and should be assessed immediately.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Protective isolation could be managed by any qualified RN, LPN, or AP depending on the complexity.
B. A client actively dying and requiring IV pain medication needs specialized assessment and pain management, which is appropriate for an RN.
C. A client 3 days postoperative requires ongoing care that can be managed by an LPN with supervision.
D. Frequent ambulation is a task that can be managed by an AP, though supervision may be needed.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Blood for PaCO2 is a specialized specimen that requires venipuncture and specific handling to ensure accuracy, which should be performed by a licensed nurse or phlebotomist.
B. Random stool specimen collection is a routine task that can be delegated to the AP. It requires minimal specialized skill and is within the AP's scope of practice.
C. Wound drainage for culture requires sterile technique and proper handling to avoid contamination, which is beyond the AP's responsibilities.
D. Urine from an indwelling catheter requires specialized techniques and knowledge to ensure proper collection, and should be performed by a nurse.