Fundamentals of Nursing HESI Related

Review Fundamentals of Nursing HESI related questions and content

A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is receiving a change-of-shift report for four clients. Which of the following clients should the nurse see first?

  • A. A client who has new onset of dyspnea 24 hours after a total hip arthroplasty
  • B. A client who has acute abdominal pain rated 4 on a scale from 0 to 10
  • C. A client who has a UTI and low-grade fever
  • D. A client who has pneumonia and an oxygen saturation of 96%
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The nurse should see the client who has new onset of dyspnea 24 hours after a total hip arthroplasty first. New onset of dyspnea, especially after surgery, can indicate a serious complication such as a pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis. It is essential to assess this client promptly to rule out potentially life-threatening conditions. Acute abdominal pain, a UTI with low-grade fever, and pneumonia with an oxygen saturation of 96% are important issues but do not indicate the urgency and potential severity of a post-operative complication like pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis.