Saunders Respiratory Practice

Which action is considered the priority for a nurse when caring for a client experiencing difficulty breathing?

1. Monitor oxygen saturation levels

2. Administer oxygen therapy

3. Notify the healthcare provider

4. Perform a focused respiratory assessment

The correct answer is: Perform a focused respiratory assessment

When caring for a client experiencing difficulty breathing, performing a focused respiratory assessment is essential because it allows the nurse to gather critical information about the patient's respiratory status. This assessment can include observing the client's work of breathing, respiratory rate, use of accessory muscles, and any audible wheezing or stridor. By conducting this assessment first, the nurse can identify the severity of the respiratory distress and tailor the subsequent interventions appropriately. Understanding the underlying causes of difficulty breathing—such as asthma exacerbations, pneumonia, or other respiratory conditions—enables the nurse to prioritize and direct care more effectively. While monitoring oxygen saturation levels, administering oxygen therapy, and notifying the healthcare provider are also important actions, they rely on information that would be obtained during the focused respiratory assessment. Therefore, the initial evaluation directly informs the urgency and type of interventions needed, making it the priority action in this scenario.