what is the first priority for a patient in respiratory distress
Logo

Nursing Elites

ATI LPN

ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2024

1. What is the first priority for a patient in respiratory distress?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer oxygen. In a patient experiencing respiratory distress, the primary concern is ensuring an adequate oxygen supply to the body. By administering oxygen, you can help improve oxygenation, which is crucial for the patient's overall well-being. Assessing airway patency is important but administering oxygen takes precedence as it directly addresses the oxygenation concern. Monitoring oxygen saturation is also essential, but the immediate action should be to provide oxygen. Calling for assistance can be important but is not the first priority when dealing with a patient in respiratory distress.

2. A nurse is reviewing the plan of care for a client who is at risk for developing pressure ulcers. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct intervention for a client at risk for pressure ulcers is to turn and reposition the client every 2 hours. This helps relieve pressure on bony prominences, improving circulation and reducing the risk of pressure ulcer development. Applying heat to the affected area (Choice A) can increase the risk of skin breakdown. Placing the client in a prone position (Choice B) can also increase pressure on certain areas, leading to pressure ulcers. Providing the client with a bedpan every 4 hours (Choice D) is not directly related to preventing pressure ulcers.

3. A client who is at 36 weeks of gestation is being taught about nonstress testing. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. In a nonstress test, the client is required to press a handheld button whenever fetal movement is felt, which is then recorded on the monitor. This action helps assess the baby's heart rate in response to its movements, providing valuable information about the baby's well-being. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the nonstress test does not involve determining the length of the cervix, monitoring blood pressure, or being completed in 5 minutes. These aspects are not part of the nonstress testing procedure and are unrelated to the purpose of the test.

4. Which of the following actions should the nurse take for a client who has been diagnosed with dementia and is at risk for falls?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: "Use a bed exit alarm system." For a client with dementia at risk for falls, a bed exit alarm system is beneficial as it alerts staff when the client is trying to get up, helping to reduce fall risks. Choice A, maintaining the client's bed in the lowest position, may not prevent falls as effectively as an alarm system. Choice C, assisting the client with ambulation every hour, may not be feasible and could disrupt the client's rest. Choice D, raising all 4 side rails for safety, can lead to restraint issues and is not recommended as a routine fall prevention measure.

5. A nurse is assisting with monitoring a client who is at 40 weeks of gestation and is in active labor. The nurse recognizes late decelerations on the fetal monitor tracing. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency, and the priority nursing action is to improve placental perfusion. Positioning the client on their side, particularly the left side, can enhance blood flow to the placenta and fetus by reducing pressure on the vena cava and increasing cardiac output. Applying oxygen, although helpful, is not the initial priority in this situation. Calling for a Cesarean delivery is not warranted unless other interventions fail to correct the late decelerations. Administering oxytocin can worsen the condition by increasing uterine contractions, exacerbating fetal distress.

Similar Questions

What is an appropriate teaching point for a client with left-leg weakness learning to use a cane?
What are the signs and symptoms of a pulmonary embolism?
A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who has full-thickness burns of the thorax and upper torso. After securing the client's airway, which of the following is the nurse's priority intervention?
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A client has undergone a myelogram, and a nurse is providing post-procedure care. Which action should be included in the nursing care plan?

Access More Features

ATI LPN Basic
$69.99/ 30 days

  • 5,000 Questions with answers
  • All ATI courses Coverage
  • 30 days access

ATI LPN Premium
$149.99/ 90 days

  • 5,000 Questions with answers
  • All ATI courses Coverage
  • 30 days access

Other Courses