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.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Rationale:
A. "You are feeling anxious now; why don't you give it some time before making a final decision?": This minimizes the client’s current emotional distress and does not address the seriousness of the statement. It may come across as dismissive rather than therapeutic.
B. "You should talk with your family members before making this decision.": Although involving family in major decisions can be helpful, the focus should be on the client's feelings and wishes first.
C. "I will discuss this with your primary health care provider, and we can discuss this more tomorrow.": Deferring the conversation may delay support for someone expressing emotional exhaustion and possible suicidal ideation. Prompt intervention is essential in these situations.
D. "Let me refer you to talk to someone regarding your treatment options.": This response acknowledges the client's emotional state while also offering a supportive and appropriate next step. It opens access to counseling or mental health services and helps the client explore options without judgment.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Hematuria: Blood in the urine can occur with sickle cell disease due to renal papillary necrosis, but it is not specific to acute chest syndrome and does not require immediate emergency action in this context.
B. Sneezing: Sneezing is typically associated with upper respiratory infections or allergies and is not indicative of acute chest syndrome. It is not a critical symptom in this scenario.
C. Substernal retractions: Substernal retractions are a sign of respiratory distress and can indicate acute chest syndrome a life-threatening complication of sickle cell anemia. It involves pulmonary infiltration and can rapidly progress to hypoxia and respiratory failure, requiring urgent intervention.
D. Temperature 37.9° C (100.2° F): While fever in a sickle cell client should be closely monitored and reported, this temperature is low-grade. Alone, it does not immediately signal acute chest syndrome without accompanying respiratory symptoms.
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