After the nurse receives report, which patient should the nurse assess first?
a. Patient who has a respiratory rate of 14 after overdosing on oxycodone (OxyContin)
b. Patient admitted with cocaine use who has an irregular heart rate of 142 beats/minute
c. Patient who is experiencing hallucinations and extreme anxiety after the use of marijuana
d. Patient with a history of daily alcohol use who is complaining of insomnia and diaphoresis
ANS: B
Because the patient with cocaine use has symptoms suggestive of a possible fatal dysrhythmia, this patient should be assessed immediately. The other patients should also be seen as soon as possible, but their clinical manifestations do not suggest that life-threatening complications may be occurring.
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