Nursing assistant is taking vital signs in a patient with osteomyelitis. Which should he/she report immediately?
A. Blood pressure of 160/78 mm Hg
B. Heart rate of 110 beats/min
C. Respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute
D. Temperature of 101ºF
A is incorrect.
It’s important to lower the blood pressure, but it is not a priority.
B is incorrect.
The heart rate is high, but it is not the priority.
C is incorrect.
Normal respiratory rate is 12-20 breaths per minute. Obviously this choice can be thrown at you. It is a charity choice to eliminate.
D is correct.
A fever indicates an infection and must be reported right away so that the next step would be to have antibiotics ordered.
