A healthy postoperative patient who has been on bedrest for 3 days develops sudden dyspnea, tachypnea, restlessness, and chest pain. The patient says, "I feel as if something is going to happen to me." What should the nurse do?
a. Ensure physician is notified immediately.
b. Perform a bilateral Homans' test.
c. Give a narcotic for pain as ordered.
d. Reassure the patient that everything is fine.
ANS: A
A. The patient likely has pulmonary emboli, which is a life-threatening condition and requires prompt medical intervention, so the physician must be notified right now. You should always listen to your patients as they usually know when something is not right. B and C are not interventions for the potential life-threatening condition. The physician will give orders when notified. D. This would provide false reassurance which should never be done.
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