A nurse in an emergency department is triaging clients following an external natural disaster. Which of the following clients should the nurse identify to receive care first?
A client who has an open fracture of the tibia and reports pain as 5 on a scale of 0 to 10
A client who has suspected appendicitis and reports severe lower right abdominal pain
A client who has a penetrating head wound and fixed pupils
A client who has flail chest and a respiratory rate of 32/min
The Correct Answer is D
A. A client who has an open fracture of the tibia and reports pain as 5 on a scale of 0 to 10: While the open fracture requires prompt attention to prevent infection and manage pain, it is not immediately life-threatening. This client can be treated after more critical, unstable patients.
B. A client who has suspected appendicitis and reports severe lower right abdominal pain: Suspected appendicitis is urgent but not immediately life-threatening unless complications like rupture occur. This client’s condition is lower priority compared to airway or breathing compromise.
C. A client who has a penetrating head wound and fixed pupils: Fixed pupils suggest a non-survivable brain injury. In a mass casualty or disaster triage situation, this client is considered expectant and would not receive immediate intervention.
D. A client who has flail chest and a respiratory rate of 32/min: Flail chest with increased respiratory rate indicates respiratory compromise and potential hypoxia, which is life-threatening. Airway and breathing take priority, so this client requires immediate intervention to stabilize breathing and prevent rapid deterioration.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. The client's shoulders are rounded slightly forward: Slightly rounded shoulders can indicate poor posture or musculoskeletal issues. While minor rounding is common, it is not a defining characteristic of a normal, standard gait and may reflect postural deviations.
B. The client's heels touch the ground before their toes: A standard gait involves initial contact with the heel, followed by a smooth rolling motion to the toes during the stance phase. This heel-to-toe pattern indicates normal foot mechanics and weight transfer, reflecting a healthy, functional gait for ADLs.
C. The client's dominant foot bears more weight: Unequal weight bearing between the dominant and non-dominant foot suggests an abnormal gait or musculoskeletal imbalance. In a normal gait, weight is distributed evenly between both lower extremities during walking.
D. The client looks at the floor when walking: Looking at the floor may indicate visual or balance issues, poor confidence, or gait instability. A standard gait typically involves a forward gaze with a stable, upright posture to maintain balance and coordination.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. "The test will determine if there is leaking amniotic fluid.": The nitrazine test is used to detect the presence of amniotic fluid in the vagina by measuring pH. A positive result indicates a more alkaline pH, suggesting rupture of membranes. This explanation accurately describes the purpose of the test to the client.
B. "Your bladder should be full prior to me performing this test.": A full bladder is not required for a nitrazine test. In fact, urine can interfere with results because it is acidic and may cause a false-negative reading, so the bladder should not influence the test outcome.
C. "I will be taking a blood sample to test for changes in your hormone levels.": The nitrazine test does not involve blood samples and is unrelated to hormone levels. It is performed using vaginal fluid to detect amniotic fluid, so this statement is inaccurate.
D. "If this test is positive you will be required to have a non-stress test.": A positive nitrazine test indicates ruptured membranes, which may require further assessment, but it does not automatically mandate a non-stress test. Additional evaluation and clinical judgment guide next steps rather than an automatic NST.
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