NCLEX RN Questions on Respiratory System Related

Review NCLEX RN Questions on Respiratory System related questions and content

The nurse on the intermediate care unit received a change-of-shift report on four patients with hypertension. Which patient should the nurse assess first?

  • A. 48-yr-old with a blood pressure of 160/92 mm Hg who reports chest pain
  • B. 52-yr-old with a blood pressure of 198/90 mm Hg who has leg cramping
  • C. 50-yr-old with a blood pressure of 190/104 mm Hg who has a creatinine of 1.1 mg/dL
  • D. 43-yr-old with a blood pressure of 172/98 mm Hg whose urine shows microalbuminuria.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. The nurse should assess the 48-yr-old with a blood pressure of 160/92 mm Hg who reports chest pain first because chest pain can be a sign of a cardiac issue, which could be life-threatening. Assessing this patient first is crucial to rule out any acute cardiac events. Leg cramping (choice B) is a common symptom in hypertensive patients but is not as urgent as chest pain. High creatinine levels (choice C) may indicate kidney issues but do not require immediate assessment compared to chest pain. Microalbuminuria (choice D) is a sign of kidney damage in hypertension but does not pose an immediate threat like chest pain.