HESI Medical Surgical Practice Exam Quizlet Related

Review HESI Medical Surgical Practice Exam Quizlet related questions and content

A client who has just undergone surgery suddenly experiences chest pain, dyspnea, and tachypnea. The nurse suspects that the client has a pulmonary embolism and immediately sets about:

  • A. Preparing the client for a perfusion scan
  • B. Attaching the client to a cardiac monitor
  • C. Administering oxygen via nasal cannula
  • D. Ensuring that the intravenous (IV) line is patent
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: When a client who has just undergone surgery experiences sudden chest pain, dyspnea, and tachypnea, indicating possible pulmonary embolism, the immediate priority for the nurse is to administer oxygen via nasal cannula. This intervention aims to improve oxygenation and alleviate respiratory distress, which is crucial in the setting of a potential pulmonary embolism. Preparing the client for a perfusion scan is not the immediate priority as stabilizing the client's respiratory status comes first. While attaching the client to a cardiac monitor is important for monitoring, administering oxygen takes precedence in this situation. Ensuring IV line patency is relevant for overall client care but is not the priority when a client is experiencing respiratory distress requiring immediate intervention.