Question

A nurse in an emergency department is admitting a client who reports dyspnea and shortness of breath. Which of the following actions is the priority for the nurse to perform prior to administering oxygen?

A. Obtain a detailed medical history
B. Assess the client's vital signs
C. Auscultate lung sounds
D. Administer a bronchodilator

Answer 1

The priority action for the nurse to perform prior to administering oxygen to a client reporting dyspnea and shortness of breath is to assess the client's vital signs.

Step-by-step explanation:

The priority action for the nurse to perform prior to administering oxygen to a client reporting dyspnea and shortness of breath is to assess the client's vital signs.

Assessing the client's vital signs, including heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation levels, provides crucial information about the client's physiological state and helps determine the urgency of the situation.

Obtaining a detailed medical history, auscultating lung sounds, and administering a bronchodilator may be important interventions, but assessing the client's vital signs is the priority to identify any life-threatening conditions requiring immediate intervention.