A nurse is caring for several clients who are at risk of developing a pressure injury. Which of the following clients is most at risk?

Choice A rationale:

Using fingers to remove loose tissue is not an appropriate action for the nurse to take when providing hydrotherapy for a burn wound. This action can cause further trauma to the wound and increase the risk of infection.

Choice B rationale:

Opening small blisters to expose air is contraindicated in burn wound management. The blister roof provides a natural barrier against infection, and puncturing them increases the risk of infection and delays the healing process.

Choice C rationale:

The correct answer is to wash the burn with a mild soap. Cleaning the burn wound with mild soap and water helps remove debris and minimize the risk of infection without causing additional damage.

Choice D rationale:

Applying wet-to-dry dressings is an outdated and inappropriate practice for burn wound care. Wet-to-dry dressings can be painful, disrupt wound healing, and increase the risk of infection. Modern burn wound care focuses on maintaining a moist environment to support optimal healing.

Verify that the client has adequate IV access.

Choice A rationale:

Administering vasopressin to the client might be necessary to manage the hemorrhage, but before any medication administration, it is crucial to ensure the client has adequate IV access. Vasopressin is a vasoconstrictor and can help control bleeding from esophageal varices, but its effectiveness relies on IV access to deliver the medication promptly.

Choice B rationale:

Requesting blood from the blood bank is essential for a client experiencing significant bleeding. However, the priority action is to verify IV access to administer any necessary blood products.

Choice C rationale:

This is the correct choice. Before initiating any interventions, ensuring the client has appropriate IV access is a priority. Adequate IV access is necessary to administer fluids, medications, or blood products promptly and effectively stabilize the client's blood pressure.

Choice D rationale:

Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter is not the priority action in this situation. While monitoring urine output is important, it should be secondary to addressing the client's hypotension and hemorrhage.