A nurse witnesses a motor vehicle crash and finds a client who is not breathing. The nurse suspects the client has a cervical vertebrae fracture. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Open the client's airway using the jaw-thrust maneuver to provide oxygenation
Check the client's cranial nerve function by assessing pupils equal, round, reactive to light, and accommodation (PERRLA)
Place the client in a rigid cervical collar
Evaluate the client for brain injury
The Correct Answer is A
A. The first priority in this situation is to open the client's airway using the jaw-thrust maneuver. This technique is preferred for clients with suspected spinal injuries to avoid further spinal cord damage. Ensuring the airway is open and providing oxygenation are immediate life-saving actions.
B. Checking cranial nerve function, including assessing pupils, is important for evaluating neurological status but is not the first action when the client is not breathing. Ensuring the airway is open and providing oxygenation is the priority.
C. While placing the client in a rigid cervical collar is important for stabilizing the spine and preventing further injury, it should be done after ensuring the airway is clear. The immediate concern is to address the client's non-breathing status.
D. Evaluating the client for brain injury is important for overall assessment but is secondary to addressing the immediate life threat of not breathing. Ensuring the airway is open and then stabilizing the spine is the priority.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Malignant hypertension poses risks for other conditions but is not the primary risk factor for cardiogenic shock.
B. A stroke does not directly lead to cardiogenic shock, though it may have other significant complications.
C. Acute kidney injury affects renal function but is not the primary risk for cardiogenic shock.
D. A myocardial infarction (MI) can impair the heart's pumping ability, leading to cardiogenic shock. This is due to the damage to heart muscle that can severely impact cardiac output and blood pressure.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Hypovolemic shock is characterized by low blood pressure, pale skin, and abdominal pain due to significant fluid loss or hemorrhage. The client's symptoms, including hypotension and abdominal pain, suggest a reduction in blood volume potentially caused by gastrointestinal bleeding or ulceration, which is consistent with chronic aspirin use.
B. Obstructive shock is due to a physical obstruction of blood flow, such as a pulmonary embolism or cardiac tamponade, which does not directly correlate with the client's presentation of symptoms.
C. Cardiogenic shock results from severe heart failure and is typically accompanied by signs of heart dysfunction, not just low blood pressure and abdominal pain.
D. Septic shock is associated with infection and systemic inflammation, often presenting with fever and other signs of infection, which the client is not exhibiting.
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