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The nurse is triaging several children as they present to the emergency room after a school bus accident. Which child requires the most immediate intervention by the nurse?

A 12-year-old reporting neck, arm, and lower back discomfort.

An 8-year-old with a full leg air splint for a possible broken tibia.

A 6-year-old with multiple superficial lacerations of all extremities.

An 11-year-old with a headache, nausea, and projectile vomiting.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. A 12-year-old reporting neck, arm, and lower back discomfort:

This child is reporting discomfort, which is concerning, but it doesn't indicate an immediate life-threatening condition. However, a thorough assessment is needed to rule out any serious injuries, especially to the spine.

B. An 8-year-old with a full leg air splint for a possible broken tibia:

While a possible broken tibia requires attention, it is not as immediately critical as symptoms such as projectile vomiting. Splinting can help stabilize the limb, but it is not an emergency that requires immediate attention compared to potential neurological issues.

C. A 6-year-old with multiple superficial lacerations of all extremities:

Superficial lacerations, although they require care, are generally not immediately life-threatening. The child needs appropriate wound care and assessment for any deeper injuries, but this can be addressed in a timely manner without immediate urgency.

D. An 11-year-old with a headache, nausea, and projectile vomiting:

This is the most concerning presentation among the options. Headache, nausea, and projectile vomiting could be indicative of a severe head injury, and these neurological symptoms require urgent evaluation to assess for conditions such as a concussion, intracranial bleed, or increased intracranial pressure.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

In this scenario, the client's sudden onset of feeling apprehensive, restlessness, and increased body temperature are consistent with symptoms of a thyroid crisis, also known as thyroid storm or thyrotoxic crisis. Thyroid crisis is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical intervention.

Initiating IV access is crucial to ensure the prompt administration of medications and fluids to manage the thyroid crisis effectively. IV access allows for the administration of beta-blockers, antithyroid drugs, and supportive care, which are essential components of the treatment for thyroid crisis. IV access also provides a route for fluid resuscitation if necessary.

Accessing laboratory results to confirm a thyroid crisis is important, but the clinical presentation of the client with sudden onset symptoms and a known history of uncontrolled hyperthyroidism suggests the need for immediate intervention rather than waiting for laboratory confirmation.

Obtaining a complete set of vital signs is an important assessment to gather comprehensive data, but in the case of a suspected thyroid crisis, immediate intervention takes precedence over obtaining vital signs.

Encouraging relaxation and slow deep breathing may be beneficial in managing anxiety or discomfort, but it does not address the underlying emergency situation of a thyroid crisis. The nurse should focus on initiating appropriate medical interventions first.

A. Evaluate glucose levels before and after meals. B. Assess the serum potassium level every 4 hours. C. Monitor and document strict intake and output. D. Obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram daily.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The client's serum potassium level is elevated at 6.0 mEq/L (6.0 mmol/L), which is above the normal reference range of 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L).

Hyperkalemia can have significant cardiac implications, including the potential for life-threatening dysrhythmias. Therefore, close monitoring of the serum potassium level is crucial to assess the effectiveness of interventions and ensure that potassium levels are within a safe range.

While monitoring glucose levels before and after meals is important for clients receiving insulin therapy, in this scenario, the primary concern is the elevated potassium level.

The nurse should prioritize frequent assessment of the serum potassium level to guide appropriate management and prevent complications associated with hyperkalemia.

Monitoring and documenting strict intake and output are important for assessing fluid balance and renal function, but in this case, the elevated potassium level takes precedence as it poses a more immediate risk to the client's well-being.

Obtaining a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) daily may be indicated in some cases of hyperkalemia, as certain ECG changes can be associated with elevated potassium levels. However, the more critical aspect is monitoring the potassium level itself, as ECG changes can occur rapidly and may not always be detectable on a daily basis.

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The nurse is triaging several children as they present to the emergency room after a school bus accident. Which child requires the most immediate intervention by the nurse?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

An adult client is admitted for severe pain in his side and back and is sent for an intravenous pyelogram. Which report from the client is the earliest indication to the nurse that the client is experiencing an adverse reaction to this procedure?

When the nurse enters the room of a male client who was admitted for a fractured femur, his cardiac monitor displays a normal sinus rhythm (NSR), but he has no spontaneous respirations and his carotid pulse is not palpable. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

When assessing a newborn girl with salt-wasting congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21 hydroxylase deficiency, the nurse notes that the infant has an enlarged clitoris. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

A client who recently received a prescription for ramelteon to treat sleep deprivation reports experiencing severe side effects since taking the drug. Which side effect should the nurse report to the healthcare provider?

An older adult client is admitted to the stroke unit after recovery from the acute phrase of an ischemic cerebral vascular accident (CVA). Which intervention(s) should the nurse include in the plan of care during convalescence and rehabilitation? (Select all that apply.)

The nurse is managing the care of a client with Cushing's syndrome. Which intervention(s) should the nurse delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? (Select all that apply.)