While conducting afternoon rounds, a practical nurse assesses an elderly client who is receiving continuous intravenous normal saline for dehydration. The client has a documented history of congestive heart failure. The nurse notes the client has developed a new, persistent dry cough and appears increasingly restless. Vital signs show a heart rate of 104 beats/min and a blood pressure of 148/92 mm Hg. Which action should the practical nurse take first?
- Auscultate the client's lung fields for adventitious breath soundsCevap
- BAdminister a prescribed as-needed throat lozenge to relieve the cough
- CInstitute fall precautions and reassure the client that confusion is common
- DRecord the vital signs in the chart and reassess in one hour
Cevap
The practical nurse should prioritize auscultating the client's lung fields for adventitious breath sounds to assess for pulmonary edema.
The client is exhibiting early signs of fluid volume overload and impending pulmonary edema, characterized by a new cough, restlessness (an early indicator of hypoxia), tachycardia, and elevated blood pressure. Given the client's history of congestive heart failure and the continuous IV fluid administration, the practical nurse must prioritize airway and breathing. Auscultating the lungs for crackles provides critical focused data that must be immediately reported to the registered nurse or provider for prompt medical intervention.
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Anahtar Kavram
Early Recognition of Fluid Volume Overload and Hypoxia