A 61-year-old woman with multiple sclerosis and a sacral pressure ulcer is being treated for pneumonia. During a dressing change, she becomes short of breath. On assessment, her blood pressure is low, pulse is rapid, and her skin is pale and moist. If these symptoms indicate acute respiratory failure, which of the following should the nurse do FIRST?

The Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN) exam is administered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), which is the largest specialty nursing organization in the world. The PCCN examination tests applicants' knowledge of caring for acutely ill adult patients.

PCCN is a specialty certification for nurses who provide direct care to acutely ill adult patients regardless of their physical location. Nurses interested in this certification may work in areas such as intermediate care, direct observation, stepdown, telemetry, transitional care or emergency departments.