A nurse is caring for a client who is in the emergency department with multiple traumatic injuries following a motor-vehicle crash. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Establish a patent oral airway.
Remove the client's clothing.
Warm blood products prior to administration.
Assign the client a score on the Glasgow Coma Scale
The Correct Answer is A
Rationale:
A. Establish a patent oral airway: The airway is the highest priority in trauma care, following the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation). Without a patent airway, the client cannot oxygenate properly, which can quickly become life-threatening.
B. Remove the client's clothing: This helps with full-body assessment and prevention of missed injuries, but it should only be done after ensuring the client’s airway and breathing are stable.
C. Warm blood products prior to administration: While this helps prevent hypothermia during transfusion, warming blood is not the immediate priority in a trauma situation. Circulation support follows airway and breathing in priority.
D. Assign the client a score on the Glasgow Coma Scale: Neurological assessment is important but comes after airway stabilization. The GCS helps evaluate consciousness but should not delay securing the airway in an emergency.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale:
A. A client who has an open compound fracture of the humerus: This injury requires surgical intervention and has a moderate to high risk of complications. It is typically classified as yellow, indicating delayed care is acceptable but not minor.
B. A client who has multiple facial lacerations: These are superficial injuries that can be treated with simple wound care and suturing. The client is likely stable and ambulatory, fitting the criteria for a green tag, which denotes minor injuries requiring minimal care.
C. A client who has a puncture wound in the right lower lung: This suggests potential internal injury and respiratory compromise. Such a case is urgent and unstable, requiring immediate intervention, and would be tagged red for immediate treatment.
D. A client who has full-thickness burns over the lower extremities: Full-thickness burns covering a large area are life-threatening and resource-intensive to manage. Depending on the extent, this may fall under red or black, depending on survivability and available resources.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Rationale:
A. "Maintain the client in a supine position for 24 hours following surgery.": Prolonged supine positioning increases the risk of pulmonary complications such as atelectasis. Early mobilization and elevating the head of the bed help promote lung expansion and reduce postoperative risks.
B. "Expect the client to have a palpable distended bladder following surgery.": A distended bladder is not expected and may indicate urinary retention, a common complication after anesthesia. The nurse should assess and address it promptly, rather than consider it normal.
C. "Report bleeding that saturates the client's dressing.": Active bleeding that saturates a postoperative dressing may indicate hemorrhage and requires immediate intervention. Reporting this finding is critical to prevent further complications like hypovolemia or shock.
D. "Ensure the client's urinary output is no less than 20 mL per hour.": Urine output should be at least 30 mL per hour in adults. A rate below this may indicate hypoperfusion or renal impairment and should prompt further assessment and intervention.
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