A nurse on the Medical-Surgical unit is caring for a patient with a surgical incision that eviscerates. Which actions will the nurse take? (Select all that apply.).

The correct answer is choice B. Necrotic subcutaneous tissue.

Choice A rationale:

Partial-thickness skin loss (Choice A) is characteristic of a stage II pressure ulcer, not a stage III ulcer. A stage II pressure ulcer involves the loss of the epidermis and possibly the dermis, resulting in a shallow open ulcer with a red-pink wound bed.

Choice B rationale:

Necrotic subcutaneous tissue is a manifestation of a stage III pressure ulcer. A stage III ulcer involves full-thickness skin loss where subcutaneous fat may be visible, but exposed bone or muscle is not yet present. Necrotic tissue in the wound bed indicates a more advanced level of tissue damage and the need for appropriate wound care to promote healing.

Choice C rationale:

Blood-filled blisters (Choice C) are not specific to pressure ulcers and are more commonly associated with friction or shear forces. These blisters are not indicative of a stage III pressure ulcer, which involves visible full-thickness tissue loss.

Choice D rationale:

Exposed bone (Choice D) is a characteristic of a stage IV pressure ulcer, not a stage III ulcer. A stage IV ulcer involves extensive tissue loss with exposure of muscle, tendon, or bone. This represents a severe level of tissue damage and requires intensive wound care and management.

Choice A rationale:

Placing the client in a modified Trendelenburg position is not the first intervention for a client with a deep laceration and heavy bleeding. This position involves tilting the patient with the head lower than the feet and is typically used to improve venous return in certain situations, such as hypovolemic shock. However, for a bleeding wound, the priority is to control the bleeding itself.

Choice B rationale:

Applying a tourniquet just above the wound is a drastic measure and is generally not the first intervention for controlling bleeding. Tourniquets are used when direct pressure and other methods are unsuccessful, as they can lead to complications such as tissue damage and ischemia if not used correctly.

Choice C rationale:

Starting two large-bore IV catheters is important for fluid resuscitation in cases of significant bleeding. However, it is not the first intervention. Directly controlling the bleeding takes precedence to prevent further blood loss.

Choice D rationale:

Applying pressure directly to the wound is the correct answer. This is the initial and immediate action to take when dealing with a heavily bleeding wound. Applying pressure helps to stem the bleeding by promoting clot formation and reducing blood loss. It is a vital step in managing the client's condition and preventing further deterioration.