A client is admitted to the emergency department with a full-thickness burn to the right arm. Upon assessment, the arm is edematous, the fingers are mottled, and the radial pulse is now absent. The client states that the pain is 8/10. What is the priority action the nurse should take?

Instruct the client to exercise the fingers and wrist.

Call the healthcare provider to report the loss of the radial pulse.

Continue to assess the arm every hour for any additional changes.

Administer morphine IV.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: Instructing the client to exercise the fingers and wrist is not the immediate priority. While maintaining mobility is important in burn care, the absence of a radial pulse indicates a potential vascular compromise that needs urgent attention.

Choice B reason: Calling the healthcare provider to report the loss of the radial pulse is the correct and immediate action. The absence of a radial pulse suggests that the edema is causing compartment syndrome, which can lead to tissue ischemia and necrosis if not promptly treated. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention, possibly including a fasciotomy to relieve pressure.

Choice C reason: Continuing to assess the arm every hour for additional changes is important, but it is not the immediate priority. The absence of a radial pulse indicates a critical issue that needs immediate reporting and intervention, rather than waiting for further changes.

Choice D reason: Administering morphine IV can help manage the client's pain, which is significant at 8/10. However, it does not address the underlying issue of the absent radial pulse and potential compartment syndrome. Pain management is important but secondary to resolving the vascular compromise.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Rechecking all of the patient's vital signs is a good practice, but it is not the priority action in this scenario. The patient's symptoms indicate a potential case of autonomic dysreflexia, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate action to reduce blood pressure and address the cause. Rechecking vital signs alone will not resolve the underlying issue.

Choice B reason: Elevating the patient's knees and lowering the head of the bed is not an appropriate action in this situation. This position could potentially increase intracranial pressure and exacerbate the patient's condition. The focus should be on measures that will help lower the blood pressure and alleviate the symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia.

Choice C reason: The priority action is to elevate the head of the bed immediately and notify the provider. Elevating the head of the bed helps to decrease blood pressure and improve venous return. Promptly notifying the provider ensures that the patient receives timely medical intervention to address the underlying cause of autonomic dysreflexia, which is critical for preventing further complications.

Choice D reason: Administering PRN Tylenol for the patient's headache is not the priority in this situation. While pain management is important, the patient's symptoms suggest a more severe condition (autonomic dysreflexia) that requires immediate attention to lower blood pressure and address the root cause. Pain medication alone will not resolve the underlying issue and could delay necessary interventions.

A. Amylase and lipase. B. Hematocrit and hemoglobin. C. Red blood cell count. D. Serum uric acid.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Monitoring amylase and lipase levels is the best way to determine the effectiveness of treatment in a patient with pancreatitis. These enzymes are produced by the pancreas, and their levels in the blood increase significantly during an episode of pancreatitis. As treatment progresses and the inflammation of the pancreas decreases, the levels of these enzymes should return to normal. Therefore, checking the levels of amylase and lipase is a direct indicator of the patient's response to treatment.

Choice B reason: Hematocrit and hemoglobin levels are important for assessing overall blood volume and oxygen-carrying capacity, but they are not specific indicators of pancreatitis treatment effectiveness. While these levels can provide information about the patient's general health and hydration status, they do not specifically reflect changes in pancreatic inflammation.

Choice C reason: Red blood cell count is another measure of the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity and overall health, but like hematocrit and hemoglobin, it is not specific to pancreatitis. Changes in red blood cell count can occur due to various factors, but they do not provide direct information about the effectiveness of pancreatitis treatment.

Choice D reason: Serum uric acid levels are typically monitored in conditions such as gout or kidney stones, and they are not related to pancreatitis. Monitoring serum uric acid would not provide useful information about the patient's response to pancreatitis treatment.

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A client is admitted to the emergency department with a full-thickness burn to the right arm. Upon assessment, the arm is edematous, the fingers are mottled, and the radial pulse is now absent. The client states that the pain is 8/10. What is the priority action the nurse should take?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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