Community Health HESI Study Guide Related

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Which of the following patients should the home care nurse assess first?

  • A. A 65-year-old male with known COPD and difficulty breathing after climbing a flight of stairs.
  • B. A 78-year-old with CHF who has gained 4 lbs according to her tele-monitoring.
  • C. A 50-year-old with bilateral leg swelling and difficulty walking.
  • D. A 60-year-old with lower back pain.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. A patient with known COPD and difficulty breathing after physical exertion like climbing stairs requires immediate assessment by the nurse. This could indicate a potential exacerbation of COPD, which needs prompt intervention to prevent respiratory distress. Choices B, C, and D describe important patient situations that also require attention, but the urgency is higher with a COPD patient experiencing difficulty breathing.