The nurse in a palliative care unit is caring for Mrs.Redmond,an 81-year-old terminally ill client.While completing Mrs.Redmond's assessment,she complains of feeling short of breath.Her vital signs are as follows: T-36.9,Pulse 52 and thready,and Respirations 18 and regular.What should the nurse do next?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The client's symptoms are consistent with dyspnea and her thready pulse could indicate bronchoconstriction. Therefore, providing a PRN bronchodilator would be the most appropriate intervention to alleviate her symptoms. Consulting the physician for a CXR or changing her position may also be appropriate interventions depending on the underlying cause of her dyspnea, but providing a bronchodilator should be done first. Contacting the physician to report heart rate is not necessary as the heart rate is within a normal range for an older adult.

The Nurse in a Palliative Care Unit Is Caring for Mrs.Redmond,an