After morning report, the nurse must perform which action first when caring for assigned clients?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Heart failure involves the inability of the heart to pump blood effectively to meet the body's oxygen needs. The nurse should first administer the IV bumetanide (Bumex) or furosemide (Lasix) to promote diuresis and mobilize excess fluid in the systemic circulation and lungs. This is the priority action as it improves oxygenation and gas exchange in the lungs and helps relieve dyspnea. (Option B) The second unit of packed red blood cells is required to raise the hemoglobin to increase the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity, but this is not as urgent as improving gas exchange in the lungs. (Option C) The patient-controlled analgesia tubing is connected to a running IV that is attached to an IV pump, so the IV line should remain patent even if the opioid syringe is empty. A short delay in receiving analgesia does not pose a threat to the client's survival, so this is not the priority action. (Option D) An electronic IV pump is used to administer a heparin infusion. A new IV container is replaced when 50 mL is remaining to ensure the bag does not run dry. At the current rate of 50 mL/hr with 100 mL remaining, the new bag should be hung in about 1 hour, so this is not the priority action. Educational objective: Bumetanide (Bumex) is prescribed for clients with heart failure to promote diuresis and mobilize excess fluid in the systemic circulation and the lungs, which results in increased cardiac output and improved gas exchange.

After Morning Report, the Nurse Must Perform Which Action first