A nurse is caring for a client who has had a traumatic fall. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement first?

Administer acetaminophen by mouth for pain control

Perform a thorough health history

Prepare for a STAT non-contrast CT scan

Insert an indwelling urinary catheter to monitor urine output

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Administer acetaminophen by mouth for pain control: While pain management is important, it is not the priority intervention in this situation. Administering acetaminophen for pain control can be done after the client's condition has been assessed and any potential serious injuries, such as head trauma, have been addressed.

B. Perform a thorough health history: Obtaining a health history is essential for understanding the client's baseline health status and any pre-existing conditions that may affect their current condition. However, in the acute phase following a traumatic fall, the priority is to assess and manage any potential life-threatening injuries.

C. Prepare for a STAT non-contrast CT scan: This is the correct answer. In cases of traumatic falls, particularly when there is concern for head injury or intracranial bleeding, obtaining a non-contrast CT scan of the head is a priority. This imaging study helps identify any intracranial injuries such as hemorrhage or skull fractures, allowing for prompt intervention if necessary.

D. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter to monitor urine output: Monitoring urine output is important for assessing renal function, but it is not the priority intervention in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic fall. The focus initially should be on assessing and managing potential life-threatening injuries, particularly those related to head trauma.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. A decrease in systolic blood pressure greater than 10 mm Hg during inspiration: Pulsus paradoxus is an exaggerated decrease in systolic blood pressure during inspiration. Normally, there is a slight decrease in systolic blood pressure during inspiration due to increased intrathoracic pressure and decreased venous return to the heart. However, in conditions such as cardiac tamponade or severe asthma exacerbations, the decrease in systolic blood pressure during inspiration is more pronounced (>10 mm Hg), indicating impaired cardiac output and decreased left ventricular filling during inspiration.

B. A decrease in heart rate greater than 10/min when lying down: This finding is not indicative of pulsus paradoxus. Pulsus paradoxus primarily refers to changes in systolic blood pressure during inspiration rather than alterations in heart rate when lying down.

C. An increase in diastolic blood pressure greater than 10 mm Hg during inspiration: This finding is not indicative of pulsus paradoxus. Pulsus paradoxus is characterized by an exaggerated decrease in systolic blood pressure during inspiration, not changes in diastolic blood pressure.

D. An increase in heart rate greater than 20/min when standing: This finding is not indicative of pulsus paradoxus. Pulsus paradoxus primarily refers to changes in systolic blood pressure during inspiration rather than alterations in heart rate when standing.

A. In the community, the nurse should notify emergency services. B. Compression rates and depths vary depending on the setting. C. In the hospital, codes are addressed by an interprofessional team. D. In the community, the nurse might use laypeople for assistance. E. In the community, the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) requires the presence of a health care provider.

Correct Answer is ["A","C","D"]

Explanation

A. In the community, the nurse should notify emergency services: In a community setting, such as outside the hospital or in a public area, it is essential to activate emergency medical services (EMS) by calling for help immediately when initiating CPR.

B. Compression rates and depths vary depending on the setting: Compression rates and depths for CPR follow standardized guidelines set by organizations such as the American Heart Association (AHA) and may not significantly differ between community and hospital settings. These guidelines typically recommend a compression rate of 100-120 compressions per minute and a compression depth of at least 2 inches (5 centimeters) for adults.

C. In the hospital, codes are addressed by an interprofessional team: In a hospital setting, cardiac arrest situations are typically addressed by an interprofessional team consisting of physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare providers. This team-based approach allows for coordinated efforts in resuscitation, including advanced interventions such as airway management, medications, and defibrillation.

D. In the community, the nurse might use laypeople for assistance: In a community setting, especially if the nurse is providing CPR outside of a healthcare facility, there may be a need to involve laypeople or bystanders for assistance. Promptly recruiting bystanders to call for help, retrieve an AED if available, or assist with chest compressions can improve outcomes for the victim of cardiac arrest.

E. In the community, the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) requires the presence of a health care provider: In many community settings, including public places like shopping malls, airports, and schools, automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are available for use by laypeople or bystanders. While the presence of a healthcare provider is beneficial, AEDs are designed to provide audio and visual instructions for use by individuals without medical training, allowing for rapid defibrillation in cases of sudden cardiac arrest.

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A nurse is caring for a client who has had a traumatic fall. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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Correct Answer is ["A","C","D"]

Explanation

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