After receiving change-of-shift report on a medical unit, which patient should the nurse assess first?
a. A patient with cystic fibrosis who has thick, green-colored sputum
b. A patient with pneumonia who has crackles bilaterally in the lung bases
c. A patient with emphysema who has an oxygen saturation of 90 to 92
d. A patient with septicemia who has intercostal and suprasternal retractions
Question 2
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) arrives in the emergency department complaining of shortness of breath and dyspnea on minimal exertion.
Which assessment finding by the nurse is most important to report to the health care provider?
a. The patient has bibasilar lung crackles.
b. The patient is sitting in the tripod position.
c. The patient's respirations have decreased from 30 to 10 breaths/minute.
d. The patient's pulse oximetry indicates an O2 saturation of 91.