what is the first intervention when a patient has difficulty breathing post surgery
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

ATI RN Exit Exam Quizlet

1. What is the first intervention when a patient has difficulty breathing post-surgery?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering oxygen is the initial intervention for a patient experiencing breathing difficulties post-surgery. Providing oxygen helps improve oxygenation and alleviate respiratory distress. Repositioning the patient, checking oxygen saturation, and elevating the head of the bed are important interventions but administering oxygen takes precedence in addressing hypoxia and respiratory compromise.

2. While caring for a client receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN), which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Checking the client's blood glucose level every 4 hours is essential when managing a client on TPN to monitor for hyperglycemia, a common complication. Monitoring urine output (Choice A) is important but not a priority in this scenario. Administering a bolus of 0.9% sodium chloride (Choice B) is not indicated as it is unrelated to managing TPN. Flushing the TPN line with sterile water (Choice D) is necessary, but it should be done with 0.9% sodium chloride, not water.

3. A client has a new prescription for enoxaparin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When administering enoxaparin, it is important to pinch the skin to ensure proper subcutaneous injection. Massaging the injection site after administering the medication is not recommended. Administering the medication at bedtime is not a specific requirement for enoxaparin. Aspirating before injecting the medication is not necessary for subcutaneous injections like enoxaparin.

4. A client is receiving morphine for pain management. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A respiratory rate of 10/min indicates respiratory depression, a serious adverse effect of morphine that should be reported immediately. While a heart rate of 88/min, pain rating of 4, and a temperature of 37.2°C (99°F) are within normal ranges and do not indicate immediate concern related to morphine administration.

5. A nurse is assessing a client who is 48 hours postoperative following a hip replacement. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: An elevated WBC count 48 hours postoperatively may indicate an infection and should be reported to the provider. Choice A, a heart rate of 90/min, is within normal limits and not a concerning finding postoperatively. Choice C, urinary output of 75 mL in the past 4 hours, may indicate decreased renal perfusion, but an elevated WBC count is a more urgent finding. Choice D, a temperature of 37.8°C (100°F), which is slightly elevated, could be indicative of the body's normal response to surgery and is not as alarming as an elevated WBC count.

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