The priority nursing action the nurse would implement for the patient who is admitted with pulmonary edema would be to do which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Placing a pulse oximeter and administering oxygen would be the highest priority nursing action as pulmonary edema indicates there is excess fluid in the lungs, making breathing difficult. Oxygen therapy can help improve oxygen saturation levels, and pulse oximetry can give an idea of how effective the therapy is. Inserting a peripheral intravenous catheter and monitoring blood glucose levels may be important, but not as urgent as administering oxygen therapy. Seeking a prescription to medicate the patient for comfort may be appropriate after the patient's condition has stabilized, but it is not the priority nursing action.

The Priority Nursing Action the Nurse Would Implement for the Patient