Author Question: You take the vital signs for a patient who does not appear to be in any distress and denies ... (Read 2049 times)

CBme · **on:** Jul 16, 2018

You take the vital signs for a patient who does not appear to be in any distress and denies complaints of pain or shortness of breath. His oxygen saturation is 87 on room air. You see in his previously charted vitals the saturation was 86. You have two other patients that have requested your attention including one who has been waiting for a shower. What will you do next?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

You are caring for a patient who has a history of Crohn's disease. She gets severe abdominal cramps and uses a heating pad at home for the pain. She is very fair with freckles and red hair; she is also 11 weeks pregnant. Your facility often uses a heating pack that is self-contained and temperature regulated to avoid burns. There is no order for this, nor is it in her care plan. You tell her you will speak to the nurse. The patient tells you the facility system is not good enough; it does not get hot enough anyway. She will have her husband bring in her own. Is this acceptable?

What will be an ideal response?

juiceman1987 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 16, 2018

Answer to Question 1

The nurse must be notified immediately of the low oxygen saturation. She must assess and evaluate what actions need to be taken. Patients with low oxygen levels are at risk for hypoxic events.

Answer to Question 2

This is not acceptable. Application of heat is contraindicated in pregnancy; it can affect fetal growth. Even if this were not the case facilities use their own heat packs to prevent burns. The patient with fair skin and red hair is at even higher risk for burns. Some facilities limit or restrict patients from bringing in electrical items as they cannot assure they will be in proper working condition, with undamaged, grounded plugs to meet fire safety standards.