Nursing fundamentals · practice question
A postoperative client has a respiratory rate of 8/min, shallow breathing, and SpO2 86% on room air. What is the nurse's priority action?
Multiple choiceEasynclex-rn-bsnnclex-validatednclex-2026nursing-fundamentals
Answer and explanation
Correct answer
C. Assess airway and breathing, provide oxygen per protocol, and notify the provider.
Why
ABCs take priority. Shallow respirations with hypoxemia require immediate airway and breathing intervention.
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