A postoperative client on the surgical unit suddenly develops acute shortness of breath and pleuritic chest discomfort 36 hours after bariatric surgery. Clinical assessment reveals tachypnea at 32 breaths per minute, tachycardia at 115 beats per minute, and an oxygen saturation of on room air. Arterial blood gas analysis displays a pH of , a of , a of , and an of . Based on these findings, what is the priority nursing intervention to mitigate the risk of further physiological decline?
- AAdminister the prescribed as-needed intravenous morphine sulfate to relieve the chest discomfort
- BCoach the client to take slow, deep breaths into a paper bag to resolve the acid-base imbalance
- Initiate supplemental oxygen therapy and immediately activate the rapid response teamCevap
- DLower the head of the bed to a flat position to optimize venous return and cardiac output
Cevap
Initiate supplemental oxygen therapy and immediately activate the rapid response team.
The client's clinical presentation and arterial blood gas results indicate severe hypoxemia causing compensatory hyperventilation (respiratory alkalosis). This constellation of findings in a postoperative client is highly suspicious for a pulmonary embolism. Applying the Airway-Breathing-Circulation prioritization framework, the immediate priority is to correct the life-threatening oxygen deficit and escalate care to prevent cardiopulmonary collapse.
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Anahtar Kavram
Reduction of Risk Potential via early recognition of critical diagnostic data and immediate intervention for suspected pulmonary embolism.