A client with cancer develops signs of confusion, headache, and visual disturbances.
The nurse suspects superior vena cava syndrome. Which symptoms support the nurse's suspicion? Select all that apply.

Electrical burns require understanding the path of current through the body. Because electricity follows the path of least resistance, it often travels through the heart. This necessitates applying knowledge of cardiac rhythm disturbances and immediate diagnostic prioritization.

Choice A rationale

Checking pulses is important to assess for compartment syndrome or vascular damage in the right hand and left foot. However, it is secondary to assessing the heart, as electrical current can cause immediate, fatal cardiac arrest.

Choice B rationale

Irrigating wounds is part of standard burn care but is not the priority for electrical injuries. The surface wounds often mask extensive internal tissue damage. Addressing potential cardiac conduction issues must occur before performing local wound cleansing.

Choice C rationale

Electrical current passing between hands and feet frequently crosses the heart. This can cause immediate dysrhythmias or delayed cardiac irritability. Continuous telemetry is vital to monitor for life-threatening changes in the heart's electrical activity and rhythm.

Choice D rationale

While the client may experience pain, the report of chest tightness and lightheadedness suggests a cardiac or hemodynamic event. Administering opioids before stabilizing the cardiac status could mask symptoms or further complicate the clinical assessment process..

Providing post-mortem care requires knowledge of legal requirements, hospital protocols, and psychosocial support. The nurse must apply principles of cultural sensitivity and respect for the deceased while ensuring that administrative and physical care tasks align with the specific circumstances of death.

Choice A rationale

While a physician or authorized practitioner must pronounce death and sign the certificate, it is not the immediate responsibility of the nurse to ensure the signature is completed before beginning initial post-mortem nursing care.

Choice B rationale

Removing tubes is often prohibited if an autopsy is required, especially in sudden or suspicious deaths. The nurse must first verify the cause of death and institutional policy before disturbing any medical devices or invasive lines.

Choice C rationale

Removing the body immediately is insensitive and may interfere with the grieving process. Families should be given adequate time to spend with the deceased to begin their emotional processing and perform any necessary rituals.

Choice D rationale

Allowing for religious and cultural customs is a core component of holistic nursing care. This respects the dignity of the deceased and supports the family's coping mechanisms during the immediate period following a significant loss.

Choice E rationale

Providing privacy is essential for the family to express grief without observation. This therapeutic environment allows for intimate goodbyes and facilitates the beginning of the mourning process in a respectful and safe hospital or hospice setting.