what is the nurses priority action when a patient has a fever
Logo

Nursing Elites

ATI RN

RN ATI Capstone Proctored Comprehensive Assessment A

1. What is the priority action for a patient with a fever?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The priority action when a patient has a fever is to assess the patient's temperature regularly. Monitoring the temperature helps track the effectiveness of interventions and detect any worsening fever. Administering antipyretic medication (Choice A) should be done based on healthcare provider's orders after assessing the patient's condition. While providing cooling measures such as a cool compress (Choice C) can help reduce fever, assessing the temperature takes precedence. Providing blankets for comfort (Choice D) is not the priority when dealing with a fever.

2. A patient with severe pain and leg swelling is admitted. What should the nurse assess for?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a patient presents with severe pain and leg swelling, the nurse should assess for compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is a serious condition that can develop due to increased pressure within a muscle compartment, leading to compromised circulation and potential tissue damage. It is crucial to identify compartment syndrome promptly as it may require immediate intervention to prevent further complications. Checking for signs of deep vein thrombosis (Choice A) is also important in a patient with leg swelling, but in this scenario, the focus should be on assessing for compartment syndrome due to the severity of the symptoms. Increasing fluid intake (Choice C) may not address the underlying cause of the patient's symptoms. Preparing the patient for surgery (Choice D) without a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis is premature and may not be the appropriate initial intervention.

3. A nurse caring for a client under airborne precautions notes that the client is scheduled for a nuclear scan. What is the appropriate action for the nurse to take?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse is to place a surgical mask on the client for transport and for contact with other individuals when a patient under airborne precautions requires movement. This helps prevent the spread of infectious agents. Planning to have the nuclear scan at the bedside (Choice A) may not be feasible or appropriate. Calling the nuclear medicine department to delay the test (Choice B) may inconvenience the client and disrupt the scheduled procedure. Asking technicians in the nuclear scan department to wear masks (Choice C) does not provide adequate protection for others who may come into contact with the client outside the department.

4. What is the most important nursing intervention when caring for a patient with a wound?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most important nursing intervention when caring for a patient with a wound is to clean the wound with normal saline. This is crucial for preventing infection and promoting healing. Applying an occlusive dressing (Choice A) can be important but should come after cleaning the wound. Administering antibiotics (Choice C) is not the first-line intervention for all wounds and should be based on the healthcare provider's prescription. Reassessing the wound (Choice D) is essential but not the most important initial intervention.

5. A patient with heart failure needs education on fluid restrictions. What is the most important information to provide?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most important information to provide to a patient with heart failure regarding fluid restrictions is to provide them with a fluid restriction plan. This plan helps the patient manage their fluid intake effectively, which is crucial in preventing complications associated with heart failure. Monitoring weight daily can be a part of the plan but is not the most important. Instructing the patient to avoid salty foods is beneficial but not as crucial as having a structured fluid restriction plan. Encouraging the patient to increase fluid intake would be counterproductive and potentially harmful in a patient with heart failure.

Similar Questions

A community health nurse is reviewing primary prevention strategies for West Nile virus with a group of clients in a rural health clinic. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
The nurse asks a client who is about to have a cardiac catheterization about any allergies. The client states, 'I always get a rash when I eat shellfish.' Which of the following is the priority nursing action?
A healthcare provider writes a prescription for a medication dose three times the normal range. What should the nurse do?
How should the nurse manage the client's pain if a client with a history of substance abuse is requesting pain medication?
What is the most important action for the nurse to take after finding a patient on the floor who reports, 'I fell out of bed'?

Access More Features

ATI RN Basic
$69.99/ 30 days

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

ATI RN Premium
$149.99/ 90 days

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

Other Courses