What is the priority nursing action for a patient suspected to be ...

[LaDunn]

What is the priority nursing action for a patient suspected to be hypothermic?
 
  a. Assess vital signs.
  b. Hydrate with intravenous (IV) fluids.
  c. Provide a warm blanket.
  d. Remove wet clothes.

Question 2

A female patient complains of a scab that just won't heal under her left breast. During your conversation, she also mentions chronic fatigue, loss of appetite, and slight cough, attributed to allergies. What is the nurse's best action?
 
  a. Continue to conduct a symptom analysis to better understand the patient's symptoms and concerns.
  b. End the appointment and tell the patient to use skin protection during sun exposure.
  c. Suggest further testing with a cancer specialist and provide the appropriate literature.
  d. Tell her to put a bandage on the scab and set a follow-up appointment in one week.

[jackie]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
The first thing to do with a patient suspected to be hypothermic is to remove wet clothes, because heat loss is five times greater when clothing is wet. Assessing vital signs is important, but the wet clothes should be removed first. Hydration is very important with hyperthermia and the associated danger of dehydration, but there is not a similar risk with hypothermia. A warm blanket over wet clothes would not be an effective warming strategy.

Answer to Question 2