The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client that has just arrived in the emergency department with 2nd degree thermal burns to the right thigh, lower leg and foot, and reports severe pain in the right leg. Which priority action should the PN take while caring for this patient?
Anticipate rehydration of 1000 mL/6 hr. with normal saline.
Remove clothing, cover burned area with cool damp cloth.
Completely flush burned area with water or sterile saline.
Collect data, vital signs, blood gases, height and weight.
The Correct Answer is B
The priority action for the practical nurse (PN) to take while caring for a client that has just arrived in the emergency department with 2nd degree thermal burns to the right thigh, lower leg and foot, and reports severe pain in the right leg is to remove clothing and cover the burned area with a cool damp cloth. This will help to cool the burn and reduce pain.
Anticipating rehydration of 1000 mL/6 hr. with normal saline (Option A) is an important intervention for burn patients, but it is not the first priority. Completely flushing the burned area with water or sterile saline (Option C) may be appropriate in some cases, but it is not the first intervention that should be implemented. Collecting data such as vital signs, blood gases, height and weight (Option D) is also important, but it is not the first priority.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Limited abduction of the legs in a newborn can be a sign of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), a condition in which the hip joint is not properly formed. The practical nurse (PN) should notify the healthcare provider of this finding so that further assessment and appropriate intervention can be initiated.
Performing range of motion to the joint (A) is not appropriate without a healthcare provider's order. Continuing care as if this is a normal finding (B) is not appropriate because limited abduction of the legs in a newborn can be a sign of DDH. While documenting the finding in the record (D) is important, notifying the healthcare provider is the most important action for the PN to take next.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The first action the PN should take is to obtain a point-of-care glucose test. This will provide immediate information about the patient's blood sugar level and help guide further interventions.
Option A, reviewing prior insulin prescriptions, is important but not the first priority.
Option B, checking blood pressure, is also important but not the most immediate concern.
Option D, assessing urine for ketones, can provide useful information about the presence of ketones in the urine, which can indicate diabetic ketoacidosis, but it is not the first action that should be taken.
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