Mr. Coburn, the 56-year-old school teacher who was seen earlier in the week for hyperthermia, arrives at the walk-in health center complaining of feeling dizzy and nauseated. You immediately note that he appears to be having some difficulty catching his breath during coughing spells. A new graduate nurse takes Mr. Coburn’s admitting vital signs as: pulse 122, RR 14, BP 88/50 RA, tympanic temperature 38° C (100.4° F), SpO2 92%. As you enter Mr. Coburn’s room the electronic BP machine alarm is sounding. You note that it is flashing “72 systolic” with no diastolic reading. Mr. Coburn is turned on his right side, and his eyes are closed. His respirations appear labored.
· List in order of priority your first five interventions.
· Which vital signs should you reassess and which methods should you use?
· Which hourly vital signs should you delegate to a NAP?
