Final answer:
The nurse's first action after assessing a patient with a fever is to validate the temperature and gather comprehensive patient information. Further tests may be ordered based on the initial assessment to identify the fever's cause, and treatment will be tailored accordingly. Safety checks in clinical procedures are also vital for patient safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
After assessing a patient with a temperature the nurse's first action would typically involve confirming the reading with an accurate thermometer and seeking additional information about the patient's symptoms and overall condition. It's also crucial to review the patient’s medical history and current medications. If the temperature is confirmed to be high, additional tests might include blood tests, urine tests, or imaging scans to determine the underlying cause of the fever.
The type of treatment recommended by the doctor will depend on the identified cause. This could range from antipyretics for fever management to antibiotics if a bacterial infection is present. In acute situations, especially with very high fever or additional concerning symptoms, immediate intervention or hospitalization might be necessary.
In a clinical setting, the nurse must also remember to complete safety checks like confirming that the name of the procedure is correctly recorded, that the needle, sponge, and instrument counts are complete, and that any specimens are correctly labeled with the patient’s name, addressing any equipment issues as needed.