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?
Warm blood products prior to administration.
Establish a patent oral airway.
Create a sterile field for wound care.
Administer IV fluids to maintain blood pressure.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Warming blood products prevents hypothermia during transfusion but is not the priority in a trauma patient. Airway management takes precedence, as oxygenation is critical to survival. Administering blood products comes later in the trauma algorithm, after securing the airway and stabilizing breathing, making this action secondary.
Choice B reason: Establishing a patent oral airway is the first priority in trauma care, following the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation). A clear airway ensures oxygenation, critical for preventing hypoxia in a patient with multiple injuries. Without a patent airway, other interventions are ineffective, as oxygen delivery is essential for survival and organ function.
Choice C reason: Creating a sterile field for wound care is important to prevent infection but is not the first priority in a trauma patient. Airway and breathing take precedence, as immediate life-threatening issues like hypoxia or shock must be addressed before wound care, making this action lower in priority.
Choice D reason: Administering IV fluids to maintain blood pressure is part of the circulation phase in trauma care but follows airway and breathing stabilization. Without a patent airway, fluid administration cannot address hypoxia, a primary cause of mortality in trauma. This action is secondary to ensuring airway patency.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Decreasing fluid intake to firm stools is incorrect, as adequate hydration (2-3 L/day) is essential to prevent constipation, especially with opioids like oxycodone, which slow intestinal motility. Low fluid intake hardens stools, exacerbating constipation risk by reducing water content in the colon, indicating a misunderstanding of prevention strategies.
Choice B reason: Increasing dietary fiber intake (25-35 g/day) adds bulk to stools, stimulating peristalsis and counteracting opioid-induced slowed motility. Soluble and insoluble fiber, found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, promotes regular bowel movements. This statement reflects correct understanding of dietary measures to prevent constipation during opioid therapy.
Choice C reason: Taking a laxative only when constipated is reactive, not preventive. Opioids like oxycodone commonly cause constipation by reducing peristalsis via mu-opioid receptors in the gut. Prophylactic use of stool softeners or laxatives is recommended to maintain regular bowel movements, making this statement incorrect as it lacks a preventive approach.
Choice D reason: Exercising less to conserve energy worsens constipation, as physical activity stimulates intestinal motility, countering opioid-induced slowing. Regular movement, like walking, promotes bowel function by enhancing peristalsis and blood flow to the gut. This statement indicates a misunderstanding, as reduced activity increases constipation risk.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, is not a contraindication for oral contraceptives. Estrogen and progesterone do not exacerbate fibromyalgia’s musculoskeletal or neurological symptoms, as they primarily affect hormonal pathways, making contraceptives safe for use in clients with this condition.
Choice B reason: Hypertension is a contraindication for oral contraceptives, as estrogen increases renin-angiotensin activity, elevating blood pressure. This risks cardiovascular events like stroke or myocardial infarction, especially in clients with existing hypertension, necessitating alternative contraception to avoid vascular complications.
Choice C reason: Iron-deficiency anemia is not a contraindication, as oral contraceptives may reduce menstrual bleeding, improving anemia by decreasing iron loss. Their hormonal effects do not impact erythropoiesis, making them potentially beneficial for anemic clients, unlike hypertension, which poses risks.
Choice D reason: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is not a contraindication, as it affects cervical epithelium, not hormonal pathways. While some studies suggest a weak link to cervical cancer, HPV vaccination and screening mitigate risks, making oral contraceptives safe for clients with HPV.
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