A nurse is providing care for an 82-year-old patient who has a colostomy and was admitted 3 days ago with weakness, nausea, vomiting, and loose stools. To determine the effectiveness of care, which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Weighing the patient is the priority action in this situation as the patient is experiencing weakness, nausea, vomiting, and loose stools. These symptoms can indicate dehydration, which is important to monitor in a patient with a colostomy. Measuring the patient's weight is the most effective way to assess their hydration status, as weight loss can be an early sign of dehydration. Checking a pulse oximetry reading, determining creatinine clearance, and measuring urine specific gravity may be important assessments as well, but they are not the priority in this situation.

A Nurse Is Providing Care for an 82-Year-Old Patient Who