While you are working in an emergency department, a client with a history of asthma is admitted with severe anxiety, agitation, and shortness of breath. What should your first assumption be?
A) That the client is having an anxiety attack
B) That the client is agitated and that is causing the shortness of breath
C) That the client is hypoxic
D) That the client has been noncompliant with medications
Ans: C
Feedback:
If a client has a diagnosis of COPD, asthma, or any other respiratory illness, the nurse's first assumption should be that the client is hypoxic and that manifestations of anxiety or agitation are the result of hypoxia. This assumption should hold until proved otherwise.
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