A client with hepatitis \(\mathrm{C}\) returned from a liver biopsy with complaints of shortness of breath. Which assessment should the nurse make first? A. Auscultation of breath sounds B. Liver biopsy site assessment C. Mental status D. Motor strength and movement of extremities

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: A. Auscultation of breath sounds.

Step by step solution

01

Analyze option A (Auscultation of breath sounds)

Assessing the patient's breath sounds through auscultation can provide vital information about the client's respiratory status, which may be compromised due to shortness of breath. Auscultation of breath sounds can reveal abnormalities such as wheezing, crackles, or decreased breath sounds, which may indicate respiratory distress.
02

Analyze option B (Liver biopsy site assessment)

Assessing the liver biopsy site is essential to check for complications like bleeding or infection. While it is necessary to assess the site, the client's primary complaint is shortness of breath, which is not directly related to the biopsy site.
03

Analyze option C (Mental status)

Mental status assessment may provide information about the patient's level of consciousness, orientation, and cognitive functioning. However, it may not provide immediate information about the cause of the shortness of breath experienced by the client.
04

Analyze option D (Motor strength and movement of extremities)

Assessing motor strength and movement of extremities can give information about the client's neurological and musculoskeletal status. However, it is not directly related to the client's main complaint of shortness of breath.
05

Evaluate and select the priority assessment

Out of the four options, auscultation of breath sounds (option A) is the most relevant and urgent assessment for a client complaining of shortness of breath. It provides direct information about the patient's respiratory status, which is crucial in determining the cause of their shortness of breath and guiding further interventions. So, the most appropriate first assessment for the nurse is: A. Auscultation of breath sounds.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

The nurse is caring for a 23-year-old client with a diagnosis of a thrombotic stroke. Which element in the client's history is a risk factor for strokes? A. Seizure disorder B. Influenza C. Cocaine abuse D. Childhood rheumatic fever

The nurse is performing an admission history on a client with Guillain-Barré syndrome. Which would the nurse expect to find in the client's history? A. Surgical procedure three months ago B. A recent virus C. Anticonvulsant medications D. Recent seizure activity

A client with acute lymphocytic leukemia is receiving asparaginase (Elspar) intra- venously. Which of the following laboratory values indicates that the client is expe- riencing an adverse reaction to this drug? ? A. WBC 5,000 mm ? B. BUN 15 mg/dL ? C. Platelet count 200,000 mm ? D. Alkaline phosphatase 25 units/dL

A 25 -year-old female client with sickle cell disease has been prescribed the drug hydroxurea (Droxia). Which statement by the client indicates a need for clarification by the nurse? A. "This drug works by getting me more fetal hemoglobin." B. "I will have to obtain regular laboratory test to check my blood levels." C. "I am thinking about getting pregnant within the next three months." D. "I should notify the doctor if I have any signs of infection or abnormal bleeding."

During chemotherapy administration, a nurse accidentally spills 30 mLs of a chemotherapeutic solution on the floor. What is the appropriate nursing action? ? A. Call housekeeping ? B. Exit the room immediately ? C. Use the spill kit to clean up ? D. Call infection control

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Biology Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free