Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 92%
Simulated
The nurse is caring for a patient who came to the emergency department with confusion and muscle cramps after working outside on a hot day. What is the priority action of the nurse?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
The correct answer is C: Take the patient's temperature and vital signs. This is the priority action because it helps assess the patient's condition and guide further interventions. Checking temperature can indicate if the patient is experiencing heat-related illness, while monitoring vital signs can reveal any signs of distress or instability. Removing fans (A) may not be necessary and could worsen the patient's condition. Applying a hyperthermia blanket (B) could delay necessary cooling measures. Placing the patient in iced water (D) is too aggressive and can lead to complications.