A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who has extensive partial and full-thickness burns of the head, neck, and chest. While planning the client's care, the nurse should identify which of the following risks as the priority for assessment and intervention?

Infection

Airway obstruction

Paralytic ileus

Fluid imbalance

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A Reason: Infection is a serious complication of burn injuries, but not the priority risk for assessment and intervention. The nurse should monitor the client's wound healing, temperature, white blood cell count, and signs of sepsis, and administer antibiotics as prescribed. However, these measures are secondary to ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation.

Choice B Reason: Airway obstruction is the priority risk for assessment and intervention for a client who has burns of the head, neck, and chest. The nurse should assess the client's airway patency, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, breath sounds, and signs of respiratory distress, such as stridor, wheezes, or cyanosis. The nurse should also provide humidified oxygen, suction secretions, elevate the head of the bed, and prepare for endotracheal intubation if needed. Airway obstruction can occur due to edema, inﬂammation, or inhalation injury of the upper airway, and can quickly lead to hypoxia, respiratory failure, and death.

Choice C Reason: Paralytic ileus is a potential complication of burn injuries, but not the priority risk for assessment and intervention. The nurse should assess the client's bowel sounds, abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting, and stool output, and administer ﬂuids, electrolytes, and nutritional support as prescribed. However, these measures are secondary to ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation.

Choice D Reason: Fluid imbalance is another potential complication of burn injuries, but not the priority risk for assessment and intervention. The nurse should assess the client's ﬂuid status, urine output, vital signs, weight, and serum electrolytes, and administer intravenous ﬂuids as prescribed. However, these measures are secondary to ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A Reason: This choice is correct because slow, steady bubbling in the suction control chamber indicates that the suction is working properly and maintaining a negative pressure in the pleural space. The nurse should continue to monitor the client's respiratory status, such as breath sounds, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate, to assess the eﬀectiveness of the chest drainage system.

Choice B Reason: This choice is incorrect because checking the suction control outlet on the wall is not necessary unless there is no bubbling in the suction control chamber, which would indicate a problem with the suction source or setting. The nurse should ensure that the suction control outlet is set at the prescribed level, usually between 10 and 20 cm H2O.

Choice C Reason: This choice is incorrect because clamping the chest tube is not indicated unless there is a leak in the system or the chest drainage unit needs to be changed. Clamping the chest tube may cause a buildup of air or ﬂuid in the pleural space, which can lead to tension pneumothorax or pleural eﬀusion.

Choice D Reason: This choice is incorrect because checking the tubing connections for leaks is not necessary unless there is continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber, which would indicate an air leak in the system. The nurse should ensure that all tubing connections are tight and secure, and tape any loose connections.

A. Use log rolling to reposition the client. B. Place a warming blanket on the client. C. Instruct the client to cough and deep breathe. D. Place the client in a supine position.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A Reason: This is correct because using log rolling to reposition the client helps maintain the alignment of the head and neck, which prevents further increases in ICP.

Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because placing a warming blanket on the client can cause vasodilation and increase cerebral blood ﬂow, which can raise ICP.

Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because instructing the client to cough and deep breathe can increase intrathoracic pressure and impede venous return, which can elevate ICP.

Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because placing the client in a supine position can decrease cerebral perfusion pressure and increase ICP. The client should be placed in a semi-Fowler's position with the head elevated at 30 degrees.

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A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who has extensive partial and full-thickness burns of the head, neck, and chest. While planning the client's care, the nurse should identify which of the following risks as the priority for assessment and intervention?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is observing the closed chest drainage system of a client who is 24 hr post thoracotomy. The nurse notes slow, steady bubbling in the suction control chamber. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who has increased intracranial pressure (ICP) following a closed-head injury. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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A nurse is evaluating the central venous pressure (CVP) of a client who has sustained multiple traumas. Which of the following interpretations of a low CVP should the nurse make?

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