Following a gastric resection, a 70-year-old client is admitted to the postanesthesia care unit. He was extubated prior to leaving the suite. On arrival at the postanesthesia care unit, the nurse…

The correct answer is A. Check airway, feeling for amount of air exchange noting rate, depth, and quality of respirations. (A) Adequate air exchange and tissue oxygenation depend on competent respiratory function. Checking the airway is the nurse's priority action. (B) Obtaining the vital signs is an important action, but it is secondary to airway management. (C) Reorienting a client to time…

Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential

Question

Following a gastric resection, a 70-year-old client is admitted to the postanesthesia care unit. He was extubated prior to leaving the suite. On arrival at the postanesthesia care unit, the nurse should:

Options

ACheck airway, feeling for amount of air exchange noting rate, depth, and quality of respirations
BObtain pulse and blood pressure readings noting rate and quality of pulse
CReassure the client that his surgery is over and that he is in the recovery room
DReview physician's orders, administering medications as ordered

How the community answered

(44 responses)

A
91% (40)
B
2% (1)
C
2% (1)
D
5% (2)

Explanation

(A) Adequate air exchange and tissue oxygenation depend on competent respiratory function. Checking the airway is the nurse's priority action. (B) Obtaining the vital signs is an important action, but it is secondary to airway management. (C) Reorienting a client to time, place, and person after surgery isimportant, but it is secondary to airway and vital signs. (D) Airway management takes precedence over physician's orders unless they specifically relate to airway management.

Topics

#PACU assessment#airway priority#postoperative nursing#ABC priority

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