A client is admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with a spinal cord injury (SCI) following a motor vehicle collision.
Which nurse should be contacted to coordinate the progression of the client's care?

Choice A rationale:

Assisting in discharging stable clients to home is not the most appropriate assignment when a mass casualty event has occurred. During such events, resources are needed for critically injured patients, and stable clients can typically be discharged by non-emergency staff.

Choice B rationale:

Determining the acuity and number of casualties arriving at the facility is the most appropriate assignment during a mass casualty event. This information is critical for allocating resources and providing the necessary level of care to those affected.

Choice C rationale:

Delegating tasks to emergency healthcare specialists may be necessary, but it is not the initial assignment for the nurse working on a medical-surgical unit. Assessing the situation and determining the acuity of incoming casualties take precedence.

Choice D rationale:

Providing informational updates to members of the media is not the role of a nurse during a mass casualty event. This task should be handled by hospital public relations or designated spokespersons to ensure accurate and controlled information dissemination.

A - The injury may require medical attention, as the mother mentioned that the boy is in pain. Correct

This is the correct answer, as it reflects the nurse's assessment of the injury and the appropriate action to take. The nurse should consider the mother's report of pain as a valid indicator of the severity of the injury, and should not dismiss or minimize it.

The nurse should also observe the boy's arm and shoulder for any signs of fracture, dislocation, swelling, bruising, or deformity, and ask him to rate his pain on a scale of 0 to 10. The nurse should then decide whether to refer the boy to a physician or an emergency department for further evaluation and treatment.

B - The abrasions on the boy's leg and hand have healed.

This is not the correct answer, as it does not reflect the nurse's assessment of the injury or the appropriate action to take. The abrasions on the boy's leg and hand are not relevant to his current complaint of arm and shoulder pain, and do not indicate whether he needs medical attention or not. The nurse should focus on the boy's primary concern and not distract him with unrelated questions or comments.

C - The mother describes what she did after her child got injured.

This is not the correct answer, as it does not reflect the nurse's assessment of the injury or the appropriate action to take. The mother's description of what she did after her child got injured may provide some useful information, such as how long ago the injury occurred, what first aid measures were applied, and whether there was any improvement or worsening of symptoms. However, it does not directly answer the question of whether the injury requires medical attention or not. The nurse should listen to the mother's account, but also perform a physical examination and ask relevant questions to assess the injury.

D - The boy lacks coordination when answering the nurse's questions.

This is not the correct answer, as it does not reflect the nurse's assessment of the injury or the appropriate action to take. The boy's lack of coordination when answering the nurse's questions may indicate a possible head injury, concussion, or shock, which are serious complications that require immediate medical attention. However, it does not directly relate to his arm and shoulder pain, which is his main complaint.

The nurse should assess the boy's mental status and neurological function, but also evaluate his arm and shoulder for any signs of damage or inflammation.