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 D
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Providing a back rub can be done by an AP, as it does not require specialized nursing skills.
B. Transporting a client is an appropriate task for an AP if the client is stable.
C. Performing oral hygiene for a postoperative client can be managed by an AP with supervision.
D. Removing and cleaning the cannula of a new tracheostomy requires specific skills and knowledge that only a licensed nurse should perform to avoid complications.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Rationale:
A. A client who is 4 days postpartum and has mastitis should be assessed, but this condition is less acute compared to the others.
B. A client who had a bilateral tubal ligation 12 hr previously requires post-operative monitoring, but this is less urgent than the client with an ectopic pregnancy.
C. A client admitted 1 hr ago for an ectopic pregnancy is the priority as this condition can be life-threatening and requires immediate assessment.
D. A client who is 1 day postpartum after a late-term miscarriage requires care, but the immediacy is less than that of the ectopic pregnancy client.