Test Bank for Medical Surgical Nursing: Concepts for Interprofessional Collaborative Care 10th Edition - Assessment of the Respiratory System Related

Review Test Bank for Medical Surgical Nursing: Concepts for Interprofessional Collaborative Care 10th Edition - Assessment of the Respiratory System related questions and content

A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has a pulmonary infection. Which action should the nurse take first?

  • A. Encourage the client to increase fluid intake
  • B. Assess the clients level of consciousness
  • C. Raise the head of the bed to at least 45 degrees
  • D. Provide the client with humidified oxygen
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Assessing the client's level of consciousness is critical as it indicates how the client is responding to the infection and its impact on overall health. While encouraging fluid intake, raising the head of the bed, and providing humidified oxygen are important interventions, they are secondary to assessing consciousness, which can reveal urgent changes in the client's condition.