A community health nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about descriptive analytics. The nurse recognizes that which of the following best describes the purpose of descriptive analytics in nursing?

Choice A reason:

Blunt force trauma refers to injuries caused by impact with a blunt object, resulting in contusions, abrasions, lacerations, or fractures. While blunt force trauma can occur in explosions, it is typically associated with tertiary blast injuries, where the victim is thrown against a solid object. Secondary injuries from high-order explosives are more specifically related to penetrating injuries caused by flying debris and shrapnel.

Choice B reason:

Hollow organ damage is a type of primary blast injury caused by the overpressure wave from an explosion. This wave can cause significant damage to gas-filled organs such as the lungs, intestines, and ears. However, secondary injuries are not typically characterized by hollow organ damage. Secondary injuries are more commonly associated with penetrating trauma from debris and shrapnel.

Choice C reason:

Post-trauma stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. While PTSD is a serious and common consequence of exposure to explosions and other traumatic events, it is not classified as a secondary injury. Secondary injuries refer to physical injuries caused by flying debris and shrapnel, not psychological conditions.

Choice D reason:

Penetrating injuries are the hallmark of secondary blast injuries. These injuries occur when fragments from the explosive device or surrounding materials are propelled at high velocity, causing wounds that penetrate the skin and underlying tissues. These injuries can be severe and life-threatening, requiring immediate medical attention. The nurse should anticipate and be prepared to manage penetrating injuries in clients exposed to high-order explosives.

Choice A reason:

Predicting future client outcomes based on historical data is the purpose of predictive analytics, not descriptive analytics. Predictive analytics uses statistical models and algorithms to forecast future events or behaviors. Descriptive analytics, on the other hand, focuses on summarizing and interpreting past data.

Choice B reason:

Developing new treatment protocols based on client data is more aligned with prescriptive analytics, which provides recommendations for actions based on data analysis. Descriptive analytics does not develop new protocols but rather helps in understanding and summarizing existing data.

Choice C reason:

Descriptive analytics involves summarizing and interpreting historical client data to identify trends and patterns. This type of analytics helps healthcare providers understand what has happened in the past and can inform decision-making by highlighting key insights and trends. It is a foundational step in data analysis that supports further predictive and prescriptive analytics.

Choice D reason:

Providing real-time monitoring of client’s vital signs is associated with real-time analytics or monitoring systems, not descriptive analytics. Descriptive analytics focuses on analyzing historical data rather than real-time data.