A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a patient with a deep laceration on his left lower forearm. After observing standard precautions, which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Apply a tourniquet just below the elbow.
Elevate the limb and apply ice.
Clean the wound.
Apply pressure above the wound.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Applying a tourniquet just below the elbow is not recommended as the first line of action for a deep laceration unless there is life-threatening hemorrhaging that cannot be controlled by direct pressure. Tourniquets are used as a last resort because they can cause tissue damage.
Choice B reason: Elevating the limb and applying ice can help reduce bleeding and swelling. Elevation uses gravity to help reduce blood flow to the injury, and the cold from the ice constricts blood vessels, further helping to control bleeding and reduce swelling.
Choice C reason: Cleaning the wound is important, but it should not be the first action taken. The initial focus should be on stopping the bleeding. Once bleeding is controlled, the wound can be cleaned to prevent infection.
Choice D reason: Applying pressure directly to the wound with a clean cloth or bandage is the first step in controlling bleeding. However, the question specifies applying pressure above the wound, which would not be effective in controlling bleeding from the wound itself.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Pain is a common postoperative symptom and should be managed appropriately. However, it is not typically considered a priority over other complications that can have more immediate and severe consequences.
Choice B reason: Hemorrhage is a significant risk after TURP and can be life-threatening. It is considered a priority because active bleeding can lead to shock and requires immediate intervention.
Choice C reason: Infection is a potential complication after any surgery, including TURP. While important to monitor for, it is generally not as immediately life-threatening as hemorrhage.
Choice D reason: Urinary retention can occur after TURP, but it is often anticipated and managed with the placement of a urinary catheter. It is a concern but not the highest priority immediately following surgery.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Defibrillation is used in the case of life-threatening cardiac rhythms, such as ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. It is not the first line of treatment for a stable patient with VT.
Choice B reason: CPR is initiated when a patient is unresponsive and not breathing or not breathing normally, indicating cardiac arrest. It is not indicated for a patient who is stable and experiencing VT.
Choice C reason: Elective cardioversion is a procedure where an electrical shock is delivered to the heart to convert an abnormal rhythm back to a normal sinus rhythm. It is typically used for rhythms such as atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, not first line for VT.
Choice D reason: Radiofrequency catheter ablation is a procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to destroy a small area of heart tissue that is causing rapid and irregular heartbeats. In the case of VT, this procedure is used to target the area causing the abnormal rhythm and is a common treatment for recurrent VT.
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