A patient who has inhaled cocaine is admitted to the emergency department with palpitations and shortness of breath. What should the nurse do first?
a. Obtain a 12-lead echocardiogram (ECG).
b. Start oxygen at 4 L/minute.
c. Draw blood for drug screening.
d. Infuse normal saline at 100 mL/hr.
ANS: B
The priority here is to ensure that oxygenation is adequate. The other orders also should be accomplished as soon as possible but are not the first priority.
You might also like to view...
A client in her third trimester of pregnancy is asking about safe travel. Which statement should the nurse give about safe travel during pregnancy?
a. "Only travel by car during pregnancy." b. "Avoid use of the seat belt during the third trimester." c. "You can travel by plane until your 38th week of gestation." d. "If you are traveling by car stop to walk every 1 to 2 hours."
Which is a sign or symptom of dysphagia?
a. Increased appetite b. Eats quickly c. Hoarseness d. Constipation
A client who is acutely ill is having difficulty maintaining a steady blood pressure. The nurse recognizes that when the client's blood pressure drops, the hormonal mechanism that immediately takes action is:
1. aldosterone, released by the adrenal cortex to conserve water. 2. cortisol, released by the adrenal cortex to raise blood sugar. 3. insulin, released by the pancreas to increase energy production. 4. epinephrine, released by the adrenal medulla to trigger vasoconstriction.
A patient is diagnosed with fractured thoracic vertebrae from a motor vehicle crash. Which other structure should the nurse suspect may have been damaged during this accident?
a. Ribs b. Liver c. Heart d. Lungs