Question

The nurse assesses that the oxygen saturation is 89% in an unconscious patient who was transferred from surgery to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) 15 minutes ago. Which action should the nurse take first?

a. Elevate the patient's head.
b. Suction the patient's mouth.
c. Increase the oxygen flow rate.
d. Perform the jaw-thrust maneuver.

Answer 1

The nurse should increase the oxygen flow rate as the first action to address the patient's hypoxemia.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should increase the oxygen flow rate as the first action. An oxygen saturation of 89% indicates that the patient is experiencing hypoxemia - a lower-than-normal level of oxygen in the blood. Increasing the oxygen flow rate will help provide the patient with more oxygen, improving their oxygen saturation levels and ensuring adequate oxygenation of the tissues.