A nurse assisting with the care of a client who is admitted to the medical-surgical unit.

The nurse is reviewing the client's laboratory findings and vital signs.

Select the 5 findings that require immediate follow-up.

A) "You owe it to your mother to take care of her now that she needs you.":
This response is not supportive and places unnecessary guilt on the son. Caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease is demanding, and expecting the son to provide care without considering his own needs is unrealistic. Guilt-tripping him may lead to burnout, as it does not acknowledge the emotional and physical strain of caregiving.
B) "You should think about placing your mother in a long-term care facility.":
While this may be a viable option for some families, this statement does not acknowledge the son’s emotional struggle or immediate need for support. Suggesting a long-term care facility may be premature without exploring other options and may cause the son to feel as though he is being pushed into a decision he is not ready to make.

C) "Let me give you some information about respite care for your mother.":
This is the most appropriate response. Respite care provides temporary relief for family caregivers, allowing them time to rest and recharge. It is a supportive approach that acknowledges the son’s exhaustion and provides him with a helpful resource. Respite care can alleviate caregiver burnout and help maintain the quality of care for the client.

D) "I think you should find other family members who could help your mother.":
While involving other family members can be helpful, this response does not provide immediate support or acknowledge the son’s current feelings of exhaustion. Suggesting that he simply find other family members may come across as dismissive of his current emotional state and may not offer the practical help he needs at this moment.

A) Check blood pressure for a client who is short of breath:
In a mass casualty incident, triage prioritizes addressing life-threatening conditions first. While shortness of breath may indicate a serious problem, assessing blood pressure would not be the most immediate action. The nurse should focus on airway, breathing, and circulation (the ABCs) before checking vital signs like blood pressure, as these could indicate the need for more urgent interventions.

B) Identify arterial bleeding by the presence of dark red blood:
Arterial bleeding is typically characterized by bright red blood that spurts or pulses with the heartbeat. Dark red blood is more indicative of venous bleeding. Recognizing arterial bleeding involves identifying the bright red, spurting blood, not dark red blood. It is essential to address major bleeding immediately by applying pressure or using a tourniquet as needed.

C) Open the airway of a client who has a cervical injury by using the jaw-thrust technique:
In clients with potential cervical spine injuries, the jaw-thrust technique is the recommended method to open the airway, as it does not involve tilting the head and neck, which could exacerbate a cervical injury. Ensuring the airway is patent is a priority in triage, and the jaw-thrust maneuver minimizes the risk of further injury to the spine.

D) Request the assistance of another staff member to log roll a client:
While log rolling is important for proper spinal alignment in clients with suspected spinal injuries, it is not the most urgent action during triage. In the context of a mass casualty incident, other immediate interventions, such as securing the airway and controlling bleeding, should take precedence before moving the patient unless the client’s condition requires repositioning to facilitate life-saving care.