The nurse is caring for a patient with pneumonia who complains of shortness of breath.Further assessment reveals an oxygen saturation of 89% on room air,28 respirations/min with bilateral crackles in lung bases,blood pressure of 160/94,and a pulse rate of 102 beats/min.Which nursing diagnosis is priority for this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

While all nursing diagnoses may apply to this patient,impaired gas exchange is the highest priority because this is the underlying problem for the other nursing diagnoses,as well as physiologically the highest priority.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient with Pneumonia Who