The nurse is caring for a client in the burn unit with burns to the head, neck, chest back left arm and hand following an explosion in their garage. Upon admission, the nurse auscultates wheezes throughout all lung fields and applies oxygen via non-rebreather. One hour later, upon reassessment, the patient is visibly anxious and short of breath, wheezes cannot be heard, lung sounds are decreased, voice is hoarse, and the client is coughing up gray sputum. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
Notify the physician and anticipate the need for endotracheal intubation
Place the client in semi-fowler's position and administer albuterol breathing treatment
Encourage the client to cough, take deep breaths, and then auscultate again
Recommend a medical prescription for guaifenesin and encourage use of incentive spirometry
The Correct Answer is A
A. Notify the physician and anticipate the need for endotracheal intubation
The client is showing progressive airway obstruction due to inhalation injury. The absence of wheezes indicates impending respiratory failure, requiring immediate airway management.
B. Place the client in semi-Fowler's position and administer an albuterol breathing treatment
Albuterol may help bronchospasm, but this client's issue is upper airway swelling, not bronchospasm. Intubation is the priority.
C. Encourage the client to cough, take deep breaths, and then auscultate again
The loss of wheezes suggests airway swelling has worsened, not that secretions are the issue. Immediate intervention is needed.
D. Recommend a medical prescription for guaifenesin and encourage use of incentive spirometry
Guaifenesin and incentive spirometry help with secretion clearance, but they are not the priority in this emergent airway situation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","E"]
Explanation
A. A
Patients with A- blood type have A antigens on their red blood cells and do not have the Rh factor (negative). They can receive A- blood because it has the same antigens and Rh factor, making it a perfect match.
B. O+
Rh-negative clients cannot receive Rh-positive blood, as it may trigger an immune reaction.
C. AB-
Type AB blood contains A and B antigens, which A- individuals do not naturally have, increasing the risk of a transfusion reaction.
D. A+
A Rh-negative (A-) client cannot receive Rh-positive (A+) blood due to the risk of Rh sensitization.
E. O-
O- blood is the universal donor for red blood cells, meaning it contains no A, B, or Rh antigens, making it safe for an A- recipient.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Prepare for immediate surgery to repair the open fracture
Surgery may be necessary, but it is not the immediate priority. The focus should be on stabilizing the client and preventing further injury.
B. Assess for pulses in the upper and lower extremities
Assessing circulation is important but is not the most immediate life-saving intervention. First, the client must be stabilized and bleeding controlled.
C. Place a sterile pressure dressing on the open fracture
While controlling bleeding is important, spinal immobilization takes precedence in trauma cases to prevent potential spinal cord injury.
D. Maintain C-spine immobilization
In a trauma patient with loss of consciousness, cervical spine injury must be assumed. Immobilization prevents further damage while other interventions are performed.
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