A client who was involved in a motor vehicle collision while riding a motorcycle without wearing a helmet, is brought the emergency department (ED) by emergency medical services (EMS). Which assessment should the nurse obtain first?
Degree of pain using a 10 point scale.
Pulse and blood pressure.
Balance and coordination.
Bilateral pupillary reaction to light.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Degree of pain using a 10-point scale. Pain assessment is important, but it is not the priority in an emergency trauma situation. Clients involved in motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) without a helmet are at high risk for life-threatening injuries, including hemorrhage and shock. The nurse must first assess vital signs to determine hemodynamic stability.
B. Pulse and blood pressure. The primary concern in trauma patients is circulation and perfusion. Assessing pulse and blood pressure helps determine if the client is experiencing shock, hemorrhage, or traumatic brain injury (TBI)-related autonomic dysfunction. In trauma resuscitation, the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) guide assessment priorities, making circulatory status the first concern after ensuring airway patency.
C. Balance and coordination. A neurological assessment for balance and coordination is not a priority in a critically injured trauma patient. Severe injuries, including intracranial hemorrhage, cervical spine trauma, or internal bleeding, must be ruled out before assessing fine motor function.
D. Bilateral pupillary reaction to light. Pupillary response is part of a neurological assessment and is crucial in identifying traumatic brain injury. However, vital signs must be assessed first to determine hemodynamic stability, as untreated shock or hemorrhage can lead to rapid deterioration or death.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Prepare for oral intubation. The client is in severe respiratory distress with oxygen saturation at 88% despite receiving 100% oxygen via a nonrebreather mask. This suggests respiratory failure, likely due to a pulmonary embolism (PE), a known complication following bariatric surgery. Immediate intubation and mechanical ventilation are necessary to prevent further hypoxia and respiratory collapse.
B. Apply leg compression hose. While deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis is essential for postoperative bariatric patients, it is not the priority in an acute emergency. Compression devices help prevent clots but do not treat an existing life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
C. Maintain head of bed at 45°. Elevating the head of the bed can help with breathing, but it will not significantly improve oxygenation in a client already failing on 100% oxygen. The priority is to secure the airway with intubation to provide controlled ventilation.
D. Administer an anticoagulant. Anticoagulation is a key treatment for pulmonary embolism, but it does not immediately improve oxygenation or stabilize respiratory function. In a hemodynamically unstable client with severe hypoxia, securing the airway takes priority before initiating anticoagulation therapy.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB). CK-MB is a cardiac enzyme that rises 3-6 hours after myocardial injury and was previously used to diagnose myocardial infarction (MI). However, it is less specific than troponin and can be elevated in skeletal muscle damage, making troponin the preferred biomarker for cardiac injury.
B. Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT). SGPT (also known as alanine aminotransferase [ALT]) is a liver enzyme and is not a primary marker for cardiac injury. While cardiac arrest and hypoxia can lead to liver damage, monitoring cardiac-specific markers is the priority in this scenario.
C. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). LDH is a nonspecific marker of tissue damage that can be elevated in cardiac, hepatic, renal, or other organ injuries. It is not cardiac-specific and is no longer used as a primary diagnostic tool for MI.
D. Cardiac troponin. Troponin (T and I) is the most specific and sensitive biomarker for myocardial injury. The presence of ST elevation in multiple leads suggests acute myocardial infarction (MI) as the cause of cardiac arrest. Troponin levels begin to rise within 2-3 hours, peak at 12-24 hours, and remain elevated for 7-10 days, making them the most important laboratory value to monitor for ongoing cardiac damage.
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