What is a safe response when a patient poorly tolerates therapy in the ICU?

What is a safe response when a patient poorly tolerates therapy in the ICU?

• A. STOP activity
• B. Return to safe position
• C. Monitor vitals
• D. Increase pace

Answer: (A)

When a patient in the ICU poorly tolerates therapy, the first action is to stop the activity immediately to protect the patient from harm. Signs of intolerance—such as desaturation, chest pain, dizziness, dyspnea, sudden changes in heart rate or blood pressure, or altered mental status—mean that continuing the exertion could worsen instability. Halting the activity gives you a moment to reassess, address reversible factors, and prevent further stress on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. After stopping, place the patient in a safe, supportive position to optimize breathing and circulation, and monitor vitals to track any improvement or deterioration. Notify the ICU team if instability persists or worsens. Increasing the pace would increase demand and is contraindicated, and simply repositioning without stopping does not adequately mitigate the immediate risk.

When a patient in the ICU poorly tolerates therapy, the first action is to stop the activity immediately to protect the patient from harm. Signs of intolerance—such as desaturation, chest pain, dizziness, dyspnea, sudden changes in heart rate or blood pressure, or altered mental status—mean that continuing the exertion could worsen instability. Halting the activity gives you a moment to reassess, address reversible factors, and prevent further stress on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

After stopping, place the patient in a safe, supportive position to optimize breathing and circulation, and monitor vitals to track any improvement or deterioration. Notify the ICU team if instability persists or worsens. Increasing the pace would increase demand and is contraindicated, and simply repositioning without stopping does not adequately mitigate the immediate risk.