A patient is just arriving in the postanesthesia care unit following general anesthesia. What is the nurse's priority intervention?
1. Assess the patient's respiratory status.
2. Assess the patient's IV.
3. Ask the patient about pain.
4. Assess the patient's cardiac status.
1
Rationale 1: The patient's respiratory status will be the nurse's top priority because anesthesia can impact the respiratory system. Respiratory complications are the most frequent complications in the postanesthesia care unit.
Rationale 2: The status of the patient's IV is important, but it is not the highest priority.
Rationale 3: The patient's pain level is important, but it is not the highest priority.
Rationale 4: The patient's cardiac status is important, but it is not the highest priority.
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