what is the first action a nurse should take for a patient with chest pain
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

ATI RN Comprehensive Exit Exam

1. What is the initial action a healthcare provider should take for a patient with chest pain?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct initial action for a patient with chest pain is to administer oxygen. Chest pain can be caused by insufficient oxygenation, and providing oxygen helps alleviate the pain by increasing oxygen levels in the blood. Administering nitroglycerin or morphine may be appropriate based on the underlying cause of the chest pain, but oxygen should be given first to ensure the patient's oxygen supply is adequate. Surgery is not typically the initial intervention for chest pain.

2. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which of the following actions should the nurse implement?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action the nurse should implement is to apply sequential compression devices to the client's legs. This intervention helps prevent venous stasis and reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Massaging the client's legs may dislodge a clot and is contraindicated in this situation (choice A). Encouraging bed rest may increase the risk of DVT due to prolonged immobility (choice B). While administering anticoagulants is a common treatment for DVT, in this case, the question is about preventive measures, and using sequential compression devices is a non-pharmacological approach.

3. A nurse is assessing a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and has gestational hypertension. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A weight gain of 2.3 kg (5 lb) in 1 week can indicate worsening gestational hypertension and should be reported to the provider. Sudden weight gain in a client with gestational hypertension can be a sign of fluid retention, which could worsen the hypertension and lead to complications like preeclampsia. The other options, blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg, fasting blood glucose of 120 mg/dL, and urinary output of 40 mL/hr, are within normal limits for a client with gestational hypertension and do not pose an immediate concern that requires reporting to the provider.

4. A nurse is caring for a client who is 1 hr postoperative following a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). The nurse notes that the client's indwelling urinary catheter has not drained in the past hour. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this situation, the nurse should irrigate the catheter with 0.9% sodium chloride to help relieve any obstruction and ensure proper urinary drainage following a TURP. Repositioning the catheter may not address the underlying issue of obstruction. Notifying the provider should be done after attempting to resolve the drainage issue. Increasing the rate of continuous bladder irrigation is not the initial intervention for a catheter that is not draining.

5. A healthcare provider is reviewing laboratory results for a client who is receiving heparin therapy. Which of the following results indicates that the medication is effective?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: An aPTT of 60 seconds indicates that the client is receiving an effective dose of heparin. The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) measures the time it takes for blood to clot and is used to monitor heparin therapy. A therapeutic range for aPTT during heparin therapy is usually 1.5 to 2 times the control value, which is around 25-35 seconds. Platelets, hemoglobin, and INR values are not direct indicators of the effectiveness of heparin therapy.

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