Question

A patient admitted to the psychiatric unit, who has been experiencing flashbacks and troubling nightmares, reports to the nurse that he just awoke from a nightmare and is still having chest pain. Which of these nursing interventions is a priority?

1) Encourage the patient to return to bed and try to calm down.
2) Administer prn antianxiety medication as ordered.
3) Assess the patient's cardiovascular status.
4) Encourage the patient to reflect on the troubling dream.

Answer 1

The priority nursing intervention is to assess the patient's cardiovascular status.

Step-by-step explanation:

The priority nursing intervention in this situation is to assess the patient's cardiovascular status. Chest pain is a serious symptom that could indicate a cardiac issue, such as a heart attack. Therefore, the nurse should assess the patient's vital signs, perform an electrocardiogram (ECG), and notify the healthcare provider if necessary.

While encouraging the patient to return to bed and try to calm down may be helpful in reducing anxiety, it is not the priority in this case.

Administering prn antianxiety medication as ordered could be considered after the cardiovascular assessment is completed, but it is not the initial priority.

Encouraging the patient to reflect on the troubling dream may be beneficial in processing emotions, but it is not the priority when there is an immediate concern for chest pain.