Initial Action by the nurse???

[healthcarestudent]

Hello Everyone,

My question is regarding NCLEX questions that state initial action by the nurse and the option wherein to contact a physician is provided.

So, If the question asks, what is the nurse initial action, is that different in context to what is the nurse's appropriate action? I read in a review book sometime back (can't remember the name) that if a question asks what is the nurse's initial action, it should be what the nurse should do before calling the doctor, but when I apply this strategy to some questions, I get it wrong. I am really confused about this. Can someone please explain?

Thanks

[CaliforniaRNnow]

In my NEC review course, we were taught to ASSESS first.

If it's an EMERGENCY, we call the doctor first.

[us12345678910]

well i think they both are same .....i mean

"nurse initial action" or "nurse most appropriate action".....in a nutshell, the question is asking about the priority action by the nurse for the given situation...

i think you should verify my answer with someone else too coz i don't wanna give u a false information....but the above is what i have learned from the kaplan..

hope this helps u .....

[BetterMeRN]

I remember answering a question about initial action by the nurse. It was one of two choices "should collect and culture specimen" or "call MD" If it's something the nurse can do and it's the best answer of all the choices then go with a nursing action. If it's out of the nurse's scope then go with "call MD".

[passredskins1]

usually any answer that says call MD is wrong..nclex is looking for nursing answer, NOT passing the buck...

[caliotter3]

I have also read that calling the MD is the wrong answer. I don't agree in some cases, but I would be inclined to follow the rule of thumb.