Progressive Care Nursing Certification (PCCN) Practice Exam

What is an important initial assessment for a patient with respiratory distress and decreased breath sounds?

1. Check the patient's arterial blood gases

2. Measure the patient's blood pressure

3. Obtain a complete blood count

4. Assess for the presence of jaundice

The correct answer is: Check the patient's arterial blood gases

In a patient experiencing respiratory distress with decreased breath sounds, checking the arterial blood gases is a crucial initial assessment because it provides vital information about the patient’s oxygenation, ventilation, and acid-base status. Analyzing these gases helps to identify potential hypoxemia (low oxygen levels), hypercapnia (elevated carbon dioxide), and any metabolic imbalances that may require immediate intervention. This assessment is essential in guiding further treatment decisions and determining the severity of the respiratory failure. The other assessments—such as measuring blood pressure, obtaining a complete blood count, or assessing for jaundice—do provide important information, but they are not as urgent in the context of respiratory distress. Blood pressure might indicate perfusion issues, a complete blood count can reveal signs of infection, and jaundice relates more to liver function or hemolysis, which may not be directly linked to the immediate respiratory concern. Therefore, while those assessments have their place in the broader evaluation of the patient, they are not as critical for addressing the immediate needs of someone in respiratory distress.