Answer to Question 1
Answer: A
The nurse must recognize that the client has not given the nurse enough information. The client could, indeed, have eaten bad food or may be experiencing appendicitis. The nurse asks more questions followed by a physical examination. Short-cut decisions here could be harmful for this client. The nurse would not give advice about taking a medication. The nurse does not have enough information to make the decision to call an ambulance. Because the nurse does not have enough information, telling the client that a physician does not need to assess the client is inappropriate.
Answer to Question 2
Answer: C
The client with a PaCO2 of 85 could be in serious trouble. The nurse would decide to assess that client first in order to prevent dire consequences for the client. The client with pneumonia probably needs more care than the client preparing for discharge, but the reason for the decision is based on a potentially critical need by the client with pneumonia. The nurse cannot delegate discharge teaching to a UAP; even if delegation were permitted, the nurse would see the client with a high PaCO2 as being the greater priority. Placement of the client's room can be a decision that is made when considering time management issues; however, the physiological needs of the clients are the first consideration of the nurse.