Emergency Department Case Studies
Emergency Department Case Studies
A 52-year-old male was brought to the Emergency Department following a motorcycle accident.
Witnesses say he was seen clutching his chest before he crashed. He was stabilized at the scene
and brought to the ED by paramedics.
21. Upon arrival, the nurse’s priority action would be to:
A. Connect a pulse oximeter probe to the patient’s finger
B. Draw an arterial blood gas
C. Obtain a stat EKG
D. Maintain a supine position until an x-ray can rule out fractures
22. The patient was admitted, had surgery, and was walking in the hallway with physical
therapy when he developed chest pain. The nurse’s priority action would be to:
A. Page the physician immediately
B. Have the patient sit down in the wheelchair
C. Take a current set of vital signs
D. Give the patient 2L oxygen via nasal cannula
A 75-year-old female presents to the clinic with fatigue. PMH: HTN, hyperlipidemia, MI 3 years
ago.
Subjective: Fatigue started a month ago and has gotten progressively worse. It’s exacerbated
with activity but relieved with rest. She denies chest pain but states her ankles are swollen.
Objective: T 37, HR 112, RR 18, BP 110/54, and O2 94%. Skin is cool to touch, HR regular, and
+2 edema is noted to bilateral ankles
23. What other questions should the nurse ask about the fatigue?
24. What other assessments are necessary for this patient?
25. What should be included in the plan of care?