A nurse is caring for a patient in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) who underwent a procedure two hours ago. The nurse observes the following vital signs: heart rate 140 beats/minute, blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg, and respirations 26 breaths/minute. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?

Choice A rationale Applying oxygen at 10 L via non-rebreather mask and monitoring pulse oximeter is the most important intervention for a patient in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) with a heart rate of 140 beats/minute, blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg, and respirations 26 breaths/minute. These vital signs suggest that the patient may be experiencing hypoxia or respiratory distress, conditions that require immediate intervention. Choice B rationale Medicating for pain and monitoring vital signs according to protocol is important in the PACU, but it is not the most critical intervention in this scenario. The patient’s vital signs suggest a possible respiratory issue, which should be addressed immediately. Choice C rationale Encouraging the client to splint the incision with a pillow to cough and deep breathe is a common postoperative intervention to promote lung expansion and prevent atelectasis and pneumonia. However, in this scenario, the patient’s vital signs suggest a more immediate respiratory issue that requires prompt intervention. Choice D rationale Administering an intravenous fluid bolus as prescribed by the healthcare provider can be an appropriate intervention for certain conditions in the PACU, such as hypotension. However, in this scenario, the patient’s vital signs suggest a possible respiratory issue, which should be addressed immediately.