Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Caring for Clients With Disorders of the Hematopoietic System Related

Review Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Caring for Clients With Disorders of the Hematopoietic System related questions and content

The LPN is following a plan of care for a client who is being treated for hypovolemic anemia and is at risk for hypovolemic shock. The nurse assesses vital signs and O2 saturation and observes the saturation at 89% for 3 minutes. What should the first action by the nurse be?

  • A. Notify the charge nurse.
  • B. Prepare to assist with intubation.
  • C. Give oxygen per nasal cannula
  • D. Place the client in the supine position.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: An expected outcome for the client with hypovolemic anemia is to monitor to detect hypoxemia and manage and minimize inadequate oxygenation. The oxygen saturation should be monitored to measure the percentage of oxygen bound to hemoglobin. The nurse should report a sustained oxygen saturation value below 90%. Give oxygen per nasal cannula or simple mask to maintain oxygen saturation at or above 90%. It is important to administer the oxygen first and then contact the charge nurse to alert them. It is not necessary at this time if the client is not in respiratory distress to intubate the client. Placing the client in the supine position would decrease the oxygen saturation level further.