Adult Health Exam 1 Related

Review Adult Health Exam 1 related questions and content

The nurse observes a client with new-onset tachycardia. What should the nurse do first?

  • A. Check for the client's temperature
  • B. Administer prescribed beta-blockers
  • C. Assess for any chest pain or discomfort
  • D. Monitor the client's blood pressure
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: When a client presents with new-onset tachycardia, the first action the nurse should take is to assess for any associated symptoms like chest pain or discomfort. This is important to differentiate the potential causes of tachycardia and guide appropriate interventions. Checking the client's temperature (Choice A) may be relevant in certain situations but is not the priority when tachycardia is observed. Administering prescribed beta-blockers (Choice B) should only be done after a comprehensive assessment and healthcare provider's orders. Monitoring the client's blood pressure (Choice D) is important, but assessing for chest pain or discomfort takes precedence in this scenario to rule out cardiac causes of tachycardia.