A client experiencing hyperventilation, diaphoresis, and difficulty breathing with chest tightness was diagnosed with panic attacks after a negative cardiac workup. What action should the nurse implement first?
1. Perform a 12-lead EKG.
2. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula at 2–4 L/min.
3. Move the client from the waiting area to a private ED cubicle.
4. Prepare to administer lorazepam (Ativan).
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: A 12-lead EKG most likely was performed to rule out MI.
Rationale 2: Oxygen may be administered until the threat of MI has been disproved, but this will not be done first.
Rationale 3: This is the most important intervention. The client needs to be removed from a busy area to help decrease the anxiety with the attack.
Rationale 4: Ativan is a good choice of medications, but it will take at least 10–15 minutes to calm the symptoms.
Global Rationale: Moving the client from the waiting area to a private ED cubicle is the most important intervention. The client needs to be removed from a busy area to help decrease the anxiety with the attack. A 12-lead EKG most likely was performed to rule out MI. Oxygen may be administered until the threat of MI has been disproved, but this will not be done first. Ativan is a good choice of medications, but it will take at least 10–15 minutes to calm the symptoms.
You might also like to view...
A nurse researcher would opt to use factor analysis in which case?
a. To control statistically for a variable and measure differences among group means b. To take a large number of variables and group them into a smaller number of factors c. To test the relationship between two variables measured at interval or ratio level data d. To measure the relationship between one outcome or dependent variable and several dependent variables
A patient's assessment findings suggest infection by a rickettsiae organism. The nurse would ask about which history? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply
1. Tick bite 2. Exposure to a child with roundworms 3. Hyphae exposure 4. Exposure to animals with fleas 5. Exposure to someone with an upper respiratory infection
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a woman diagnosed with vulvar cancer. Which of the following would the nurse identify as a risk factor for this cancer? (Select all that apply.)
A) Age under 40 years B) HPV 16 exposure C) Monogamous sexual partner D) Hypertension E) Diabetes
Scotty, a nursing assistant, acts nervous around dying patients and tries to hurry to complete their care. This is probably because he
A. Does not like his job as a nursing assistant. B. Feels that dying patients' needs are less important. C. Is uncomfortable with the idea of death. D. Is not a professional health care worker.