Final answer:
The nurse should consider anxiety, pain, hypoglycemia, and hypoxia when a patient presents with new onset restlessness/agitation. Proper assessment and correlation with other signs and symptoms are critical.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient exhibits a new onset of restlessness/agitation, the nurse should consider several potential causes. These causes can include A) Anxiety, B) Pain, C) Hypoglycemia, and D) Hypoxia. All of these conditions can cause restlessness and agitation. In a healthcare setting, it's crucial to assess the patient for additional signs and symptoms that could indicate the underlying issue.
Hypoxia, for instance, refers to low oxygen levels in the tissue and is a critical condition that requires immediate intervention. Hypoglycemia, which is low blood sugar levels, can also cause confusion, agitation, and restlessness. Both anxiety and pain are also common causes of agitation and can be assessed by patient history and further examination.