An Elderly Patient Comes into the Emergency Department to Rule

Multiple Choice

An elderly patient comes into the emergency department to rule out stroke. On admission, vital signs are pulse 90, blood pressure 150/100 and respirations 20. Upon reassessment 30 minutes later, vital signs are pulse 78, blood pressure 170/90 and respirations 24 and irregular. What should be the nurse's first priority?

A) Have the patient describe how they are feeling.
B) Check the patient's Dilantin level.
C) Decrease fluids.
D) Encourage the patient to drink.