Which of the following patients should the nurse see first after the shift report?
a. A patient with a change in heart rhythm who is complaining of lightheadedness
b. A patient with a newly placed pacemaker who is complaining of shoulder pain
c. A patient in heart failure on afterload re-ducers with a blood pressure 96/60 mm Hg
d. A patient in first-degree heart block
ANS: A
The patient has complained of lightheadedness and his cardiac monitor shows an increase in heart rate. A change in heart rhythm requires a nursing assessment. Options B and C are incorrect be-cause the complaint is predictable and is not a priority. Option D is incorrect because the patient is stable and is not a priority.
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