Question

Attempts to revascularize Mr. Palmer's leg are unsuccessful, and Mr. Palmer has a below-knee amputation (BKA) of his right extremity and is returned to the medical-surgical unit with an intravenous infusion in place. His orders include: heparin drip, morphine sulfate 10 mg IV push q4h prn for pain, and ampicillin sodium g 1 IV q6h.

Twelve hours postoperatively, Mr. Palmer is found to be short of breath and diaphoretic. He says, "My chest hurts." His pulse is 140/min, compared to a baseline of 80/min. His blood pressure is105/60 mm Hg, compared to a baseline of 138/70 mm Hg. His respirations are 32/min, compared to a baseline of 16/min. His O2 saturation is 85%. The nurse immediately calls for help. Which of the following questions is most important for the nurse to ask?
A) "Have you ever had this type of chest pain before?"
B) "How long have you had this pain?"
C) "What pain medication do you usually take?"
D) "What were you doing before the pain began?"

Answer 1

The most important question for the nurse to ask is "What were you doing before the pain began?" The nurse can gather important information about the potential cause of the patient's symptoms by asking about their activity prior to the onset of symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most important question for the nurse to ask in this situation is "What were you doing before the pain began?"

This question is essential because it can help the nurse determine whether the patient's symptoms are related to a potential life-threatening event, such as a pulmonary embolism. By asking about the patient's activity prior to the onset of symptoms, the nurse can gather important information about the potential cause of the patient's shortness of breath and chest pain.