Question

A patient with a head injury after a motorcycle crash arrives in the emergency department (ED) complaining of shortness of breath and severe eye pain. Which action will the nurse take first?

a. Administer the ordered analgesic.
b. Check the patient's oxygen saturation.
c. Examine the eye for evidence of trauma.
d. Assess each of the cranial nerve functions.

Answer 1

The nurse will first check the patient's oxygen saturation. In a patient with a head injury and complaining of shortness of breath, it is important to assess their oxygen saturation levels to determine if they are getting enough oxygen.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse will first check the patient's oxygen saturation (option b).

In a patient with a head injury and complaining of shortness of breath, it is important to assess their oxygen saturation levels to determine if they are getting enough oxygen. This can be done using a pulse oximeter, which measures the amount of oxygen in the patient's blood. If the oxygen saturation is low, immediate intervention may be needed to provide supplemental oxygen and ensure proper oxygenation of the body.