The nurse begins a shift on a busy medical-surgical unit and will be caring for multiple clients. Which client does the nurse assess first?
A client who has a question about her daily medications
A client who needs discharge teaching about an antibiotic
A client who just received nitroglycerin for chest pain
A client who would like some acetaminophen (Tylenol) for a mild headache
The Correct Answer is C
A) A client who has a question about her daily medications: While it's important to address questions regarding medications, this client does not present an immediate clinical concern that requires urgent attention.
B) A client who needs discharge teaching about an antibiotic: Although discharge teaching is important, it is not an immediate priority compared to the potential instability of a client with chest pain.
C) A client who just received nitroglycerin for chest pain: This is the correct choice. A client who has received nitroglycerin needs to be closely monitored for its effects, including blood pressure and relief of chest pain. This situation is potentially critical, making it the highest priority for assessment.
D) A client who would like some acetaminophen (Tylenol) for a mild headache: While this request should be addressed, it is not as urgent as the need to assess the client who has recently received nitroglycerin. Managing a mild headache is less critical compared to monitoring a client with chest pain.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Discard the pill and get another from the dose pack: This option is the most appropriate action. Once a pill has fallen onto the bed linens, it may be contaminated and should not be administered to the client. The nurse should discard the dropped pill and provide a new one to ensure patient safety and maintain hygiene standards.
B) Scoop up the pill in a soufflé cup and hand the cup to the client: This action is inappropriate as it fails to address potential contamination. A pill that has fallen onto bedding may carry bacteria or other pathogens, so it should not be given to the client even if it is retrieved in a different container.
C) Retrieve the pill from the linens and allow the client to take it: This option is unsafe and violates infection control protocols. Giving a pill that has been dropped on bedding poses a risk of contamination and should be avoided.
D) Report the loss of the pill as a medication error: While reporting medication errors is important, in this case, the action taken (discarding the pill and providing a new one) aligns with best practices. The loss of one pill due to a drop does not constitute a medication error in the same sense as an administration mistake, so this option is not necessary.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) A client who has a question about her daily medications: While it's important to address questions regarding medications, this client does not present an immediate clinical concern that requires urgent attention.
B) A client who needs discharge teaching about an antibiotic: Although discharge teaching is important, it is not an immediate priority compared to the potential instability of a client with chest pain.
C) A client who just received nitroglycerin for chest pain: This is the correct choice. A client who has received nitroglycerin needs to be closely monitored for its effects, including blood pressure and relief of chest pain. This situation is potentially critical, making it the highest priority for assessment.
D) A client who would like some acetaminophen (Tylenol) for a mild headache: While this request should be addressed, it is not as urgent as the need to assess the client who has recently received nitroglycerin. Managing a mild headache is less critical compared to monitoring a client with chest pain.