Question

The nurse completing morning assessments on a patient who is sitting up in bed is told by the patient, "I'm having trouble breathing---I can't seem to get enough air." The best nursing response is to:

a. notify the doctor as soon as he or she comes in later in the morning.
b. finish the vital signs for the assigned patients, and then notify the charge nurse.
c. reassure the patient, if his blood pressure and pulse are normal.
d. notify the charge nurse immediately of the patient's statement.

Answer 1

The nurse should immediately notify the charge nurse when a patient reports difficulty breathing, as it can indicate a serious condition requiring prompt medical attention and further diagnostic evaluation.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient reports trouble breathing and feeling unable to get enough air, as a nurse, it is crucial to respond with urgency. The correct answer to the question is to notify the charge nurse immediately of the patient's statement. Difficulty breathing can signify a serious and potentially life-threatening condition such as pneumonia, influenza, an acute asthma attack, or other respiratory issues. It is essential to assess the patient's need for quick medical intervention, which can include additional diagnostic tests like chest radiography, pulse oximetry, and laboratory analysis of blood and sputum samples to evaluate the oxygen saturation and check for signs of infection or other complications.