Question

An older adult is transported via ambulance to the emergency department of the hospital after being found unconscious on the living room floor by a family member. the client regains consciousness and tells the nurse that everything went blank after the client stood up abruptly from a lounge chair. the client is diagnosed with dehydration and is admitted for observation and rehydration therapy. the nurse performs a routine client assessment 18 hours after initiation of the IV therapy. what should the nurse do first after reviewing the client's clinical record and assessing the client?

a. administer oxygen via a nasal cannula
b. slow the rate of the intravenous infusion
c. elevate the head of the bed to the semi-fowler position
d. notify the primary health care provider of the client's status

Answer 1

The nurse should elevate the head of the bed to the semi-fowler position.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should first elevate the head of the bed to the semi-fowler position after reviewing the client's clinical record and assessing the client. This is because the client had a syncopal episode (fainting) after abruptly standing up, which may indicate orthostatic hypotension. Elevating the head of the bed to a semi-fowler position helps improve blood flow to the brain and prevent further episodes of fainting.