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 B

Explanation

Choice A Reason: Observing for cerebrospinal ﬂuid (CSF) leaks from the evacuation site is important, but not the first action that the nurse should take. CSF leaks can indicate a breach in the dura mater, which can increase the risk of infection and meningitis. The nurse should inspect the dressing and the nose and ears for any clear or bloody drainage, and report any findings to the provider. However, these measures are secondary to ensuring adequate oxygenation and perfusion.

Choice B Reason: The first action the nurse should take when caring for a client post-evacuation of a subdural hematoma is to check the oximeter to ensure adequate oxygenation. Maintaining proper oxygenation is a priority because hypoxia and hypercapnia can lead to cerebral vasodilation, increasing intracranial pressure (ICP) and worsening neurological outcomes.Key Concept: Always prioritize Airway, Breathing, and Circulation (ABCs) when determining the most immediate nursing intervention.

Choice C Reason: Assessing for an increase in temperature is another important action, but not the first one that the nurse should take. An increase in temperature can indicate an infection, inﬂammation, or damage to the hypothalamus, which can aﬀect the thermoregulation of the body. The nurse should monitor the temperature and administer antipyretics as prescribed. However, these measures are secondary to ensuring adequate oxygenation and perfusion.

Choice D Reason:This is crucial, but oxygenation status should be checked first since low oxygen levels can worsen ICP.

A. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber B. Occasional bubbling in the water-seal chamber C. Fluctuations in the ﬂuid level in the water-seal chamber D. Constant bubbling in the suction-control chamber

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A Reason: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak in the chest tube system, which can compromise the drainage of air and ﬂuid from the pleural space and impair lung expansion.

Choice B Reason: Occasional bubbling in the water-seal chamber is normal and expected, as it indicates that air is being removed from the pleural space.

Choice C Reason: Fluctuations in the ﬂuid level in the water-seal chamber are normal and expected, as they reﬂect changes in intrathoracic pressure during inspiration and expiration.

Choice D Reason: Constant bubbling in the suction-control chamber is normal and expected, as it indicates that suction is being applied to the chest tube system.

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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

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Correct Answer is A

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