The nurse is caring for a patient who was admitted following a fight. The patient had several direct blows to the face. The assessment reveals normal blood pressure (BP), elevated pulse (P-108), elevated respiratory rate (RR-24), and obvious deformity to the right side of the face. The most important priority for patient care is which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most important priority for patient care is to monitor the elevated respiratory rate and maintain the airway. The elevated respiratory rate indicates possible airway obstruction or injury. Maintaining the airway is crucial to ensure adequate oxygenation and prevent potential respiratory failure. While assessing blood pressure and administering pain medication are important interventions, they are not the priority in this scenario. Monitoring the elevated pulse rate and looking for signs of pallor may also be important, but they are not the most urgent priority at this time.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Was Admitted