The nurse has received a change-of-shift report about these four patients. Which one should the nurse plan to assess first?
A) A 23-year-old patient with cystic fibrosis who has pulmonary function testing scheduled in 30 minutes.
B) A 35-year-old patient who was admitted the previous day with bacterial pneumonia and has a temperature of 100.2°F.
C) A 46-year-old patient who is complaining of dyspnea after having a thoracentesis 1 hour previously.
D) A 77-year-old patient with TB who has four antitubercular medications due in 15 minutes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Clinical judgment is perceptive understanding of a situation based on knowledge, empirical data (data that can be observed or experienced), theory, and scientific inquiry. Clinical judgment requires a series of decisions based on changing observations and collected data. Dyspnea after a thoracentesis may indicate pneumothorax or hemothorax and requires immediate evaluation by the nurse. The other patients should also be assessed as soon as possible, but there is no indication that they may need immediate action to prevent deterioration.

The Nurse Has Received a Change-Of-Shift Report About These Four