A nurse cares for a patient who has burn injuries. The patient's wife asks, "When will his high risk for infection decrease?" How would the nurse respond?
"When the antibiotic therapy is complete."
"As soon as his albumin levels return to normal."
"Once we complete the fluid resuscitation process."
"When all of his burn wounds have closed."
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Completion of antibiotic therapy does not necessarily correlate with a decrease in the risk of infection in burn patients. While antibiotics can help manage existing infections, the risk for new infections remains until the burn wounds are fully healed. Open burn wounds provide a portal of entry for pathogens, and the presence of necrotic tissue can further increase infection risk.
Choice B reason: Returning albumin levels to normal can improve the overall nutritional status and healing process of a burn patient, but it does not directly reduce the risk of infection. Albumin levels are more indicative of the patient's nutritional status and fluid balance. The primary concern for infection risk remains the open burn wounds, which serve as a direct route for pathogens.
Choice C reason: Completion of the fluid resuscitation process is crucial for stabilizing a burn patient's hemodynamic status and ensuring adequate perfusion to tissues. However, fluid resuscitation does not directly impact the risk of infection. The risk of infection is predominantly related to the presence and extent of open burn wounds.
Choice D reason: The correct response is that the risk for infection significantly decreases when all of the burn wounds have closed. Closed wounds provide a barrier against pathogens and reduce the risk of infection. Wound closure can be achieved through natural healing or surgical interventions such as skin grafting. Until the wounds are fully closed, the patient remains at a high risk for infection.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Maintaining NPO (nothing by mouth) status is essential for patients with acute pancreatitis. This allows the pancreas to rest and decreases the secretion of pancreatic enzymes, reducing inflammation and promoting healing. NPO status is typically maintained until the patient's symptoms improve and the inflammation subsides.
Choice B reason: A soft, bland diet is not appropriate for the initial management of acute pancreatitis. Introducing food too early can stimulate pancreatic enzyme production and worsen inflammation. Once the patient stabilizes, dietary recommendations may include a gradual reintroduction of low-fat, bland foods.
Choice C reason: A regular diet is not suitable for patients with acute pancreatitis. Consuming a regular diet can exacerbate symptoms and inflammation by stimulating pancreatic enzyme secretion. Patients need to follow a more controlled dietary plan to manage their condition effectively.
Choice D reason: A low-fat, high-fiber diet is beneficial for general health but not for the initial management of acute pancreatitis. Once the patient's condition stabilizes and they are no longer NPO, a low-fat diet may be introduced gradually to avoid stimulating pancreatic enzyme production.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause the skin, particularly the face, to appear cherry-red. This occurs because carbon monoxide binds with hemoglobin in the blood, forming carboxyhemoglobin, which gives the skin this distinct color. It is a critical condition that requires immediate intervention as carbon monoxide displaces oxygen in the blood, leading to hypoxia and potentially life-threatening complications.
Choice B reason: Smoke inhalation is a common issue in burn victims and can cause respiratory distress, coughing, and airway irritation. However, it does not typically cause the face to turn a cherry-red color. The primary concerns with smoke inhalation are airway obstruction and lung damage rather than changes in skin color.
Choice C reason: Uremic poisoning, or uremia, results from severe kidney dysfunction and the accumulation of waste products in the blood. Symptoms can include fatigue, confusion, and a metallic taste in the mouth, but it does not cause a cherry-red discoloration of the face.
Choice D reason: Acute anemic hypertension is not a recognized medical condition. Anemia can cause pallor or a pale appearance of the skin, while hypertension typically does not cause skin discoloration. Therefore, this choice is not relevant to the described symptoms.
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