Question

The nurse is caring for a patient with severe ascites due to chronic liver failure. The patient is lying supine in bed and complaining of difficulty breathing. The nurse's first action should be to

a.measure abdominal girth to determine the amount of fluid accumulation.
b.position the patient in a semi-Fowler's position.
c.prepare the patient for emergent paracentesis.
d.administer diuretics.

Answer 1

The nurse's first action should be to position the patient in a semi-Fowler's position to alleviate their difficulty in breathing.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this scenario, the patient with severe ascites due to chronic liver failure is lying supine in bed and complaining of difficulty breathing. The nurse's first action should be to position the patient in a semi-Fowler's position.

The semi-Fowler's position, which involves elevating the head of the bed to a 30-45 degree angle, helps to improve respiratory function by promoting maximum lung expansion and reducing the pressure on the diaphragm. This position allows the patient to breathe more easily.

Before measuring the abdominal girth or administering any medications, it is important to prioritize the patient's immediate comfort and well-being by alleviating their difficulty in breathing.