The client is a 26-year-old female who fell from an apartment balcony. She was transported to the hospital via ambulance.
The client enters the emergency room on a stretcher and is met in the trauma bay by the nurse.
What two actions should the nurse take first during the primary survey?
Stabilize the cervical spine.
Check for a pulse.
Request an x-ray.
Assess the respiratory rate.
Examine the abdomen.
Ensure the airway is patent.
Correct Answer : A,F
Choice A rationale
Stabilizing the cervical spine is one of the first actions that should be taken during the primary survey of a trauma patient. This is to prevent any potential injury to the spinal cord, which could result in permanent paralysis.
Choice B rationale
Checking for a pulse is an important part of the primary survey, but it is not one of the first actions that should be taken. The first priority is to ensure that the airway is patent and the cervical spine is stabilized.
Choice C rationale
Requesting an x-ray is not one of the first actions that should be taken during the primary survey. The first priority is to assess the client’s airway, breathing, and circulation, and to stabilize the cervical spine.
Choice D rationale
Assessing the respiratory rate is an important part of the primary survey, but it is not one of the first actions that should be taken. The first priority is to ensure that the airway is patent and the cervical spine is stabilized.
Choice E rationale
Examining the abdomen is an important part of the secondary survey, which is conducted after the primary survey. The first priority during the primary survey is to assess the client’s airway, breathing, and circulation, and to stabilize the cervical spine.
Choice F rationale
Ensuring that the airway is patent is one of the first actions that should be taken during the primary survey. This is to ensure that the client is able to breathe effectively and receive adequate oxygenation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While obtaining a serum drug screen might be helpful in confirming the presence of benzodiazepines or other substances, it is not the most immediate concern in a client experiencing severe agitation and tremors due to withdrawal.
Choice B rationale
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist and would not be effective in managing withdrawal symptoms from benzodiazepines.
Choice C rationale
Seizure precautions should be initiated as withdrawal from benzodiazepines can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, including seizures. Therefore, ensuring the safety of the client by initiating seizure precautions is the best initial nursing action.
Choice D rationale
While education is an important part of nursing care, in this situation, the client’s immediate physical needs take precedence.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is choiceB. Confirm that the gown is tied securely at the neck and waist.
Choice A rationale:
Reminding the UAP to wash hands frequently while in the room is important for infection control, but it is not the immediate priority in this scenario. The UAP has already donned gloves, which are part of the personal protective equipment (PPE) required for contact precautions. Hand hygiene is crucial before and after patient contact and after removing gloves, but ensuring the gown is properly secured takes precedence to prevent contamination.
Choice B rationale:
Confirming that the gown is tied securely at the neck and waist is essential to ensure that the UAP is fully protected from potential contamination.A properly secured gown prevents the UAP’s clothing from coming into contact with the patient or contaminated surfaces, which is critical in maintaining effective contact precautions.
Choice C rationale:
Assisting the UAP with the application of a face mask or face shield is necessary for droplet or airborne precautions, not specifically for contact precautions.Since the scenario involves contact precautions, the focus should be on the gown and gloves.
Choice D rationale:
Helping the UAP reposition the gown sleeve over the glove edges is not necessary because the UAP has already secured the tops of the gloves over the gown sleeves.This method is appropriate as it prevents the sleeves from becoming contaminated.
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