Which scenario indicates the intervention was effective in addressing vital signs outside the expected range?

• A. An older adult with pneumonia and a respiratory rate of 26/min after a position change
• B. An adolescent postoperative with SaO2 93% after opioid analgesic
• C. A young adult with asthma attack and BP 116/72 after using an inhaler
• D. An older adult with infection and pulse 110/min after relaxation techniques

Answer: (C)

When an intervention is effective, you expect vital signs to move back toward normal ranges or show a clear improvement after treatment.

In this scenario, using an inhaler for a young adult with an asthma attack directly addresses bronchospasm, helping air exchange and oxygen delivery. The resulting blood pressure of 116/72 falls within a normal adult range, signaling that the body’s vital signs have stabilized after the intervention. This alignment toward normal values demonstrates the intervention worked to correct the abnormal state.

The other options show persistent abnormalities: a respiratory rate still elevated after a position change indicates ongoing distress; oxygen saturation of 93% after opioid analgesic suggests potential respiratory depression rather than improvement; a pulse of 110/min after relaxation techniques indicates continued tachycardia. These do not clearly show vital signs returning to normal, so they don’t illustrate effective correction.