A nurse in the emergency department is managing the care of a client who has an electrical shock injury. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Change dressings over the entrance and exit wounds.
Obtain an ECG.
Administer an opioid pain medication.
Titrate IV fluids to maintain urine output at 75 mL/hr.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Changing dressings is important but not the priority over assessing cardiac status in an electrical shock injury.
B. Obtaining an ECG is the priority to assess for any cardiac dysrhythmias, which can be immediate and life-threatening consequences of electrical shock injuries.
C. Administering pain medication can be done once the client's cardiac status has been evaluated and stabilized.
D. While maintaining adequate urine output is important, assessing cardiac status takes precedence.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["D","E","H"]
Explanation
A. This prescription addresses hypokalemia. Potassium chloride is administered intravenously to help normalize potassium levels within the desired range. However, in this case the patient’s potassium is 5.5 hence does not require potassium chloride.
B. The client has mild hyperkalemia; hence, continuous cardiac monitoring is prudent to detect any potential arrhythmias or changes in cardiac status. However, the priority interventions are insulin therapy, hydration, and urinary catheter insertionto monitor input and output.
C. Subcutaneous insulin administration may be appropriate for clients with diabetes mellitus, but in this case, the client's blood glucose level is critically high, and they may be experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which requires rapid correction. Subcutaneous insulin administration would not provide the prompt and aggressive treatment required for DKA.
D. This prescription addresses the client's hyperglycemia and acidosis indicated by the blood glucose level of 468 mg/dL and pH of 7.30, respectively. Continuous intravenous insulin infusion is the standard treatment for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) to lower blood glucose levels and correct acidosis.
E. This prescription addresses the client's dehydration indicated by the elevated blood glucose level, decreased blood pressure, and slight tenting of the skin. Intravenous fluid resuscitation with 0.9% sodium chloride is initiated to restore intravascular volume and correct electrolyte imbalances.
F. Administering D5W intravenously is contraindicated in the setting of hyperglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) because it would exacerbate the already elevated blood glucose levels. D5W contains glucose and would further increase blood glucose levels, worsening the client's condition.
G. While monitoring blood glucose levels is important for clients with diabetes, checking it every 4 hours is not sufficient in this scenario, especially given the client's markedly elevated blood glucose level of 468 mg/dL and symptoms suggestive of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Therefore, blood glucose levels should be monitored at least hourly.
H. Monitoring urine output is important in clients with diabetes and dehydration. Therefore, inserting an indwelling urinary catheter is important in this scenario.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Beef stew do not contain significant amounts of vitamin K and thus have a lesser impact on INR levels.
B) Orange juice do not contain significant amounts of vitamin K and thus have a lesser impact on INR levels.
C) Warfarin's effectiveness can be influenced by vitamin K, which is found in high amounts in kale and other green leafy vegetables. Consistent intake of vitamin K is crucial as fluctuations can affect the International Normalized Ratio (INR), a measure of blood clotting.
D) Yogurt do not contain significant amounts of vitamin K and thus have a lesser impact on INR levels.
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