A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who has extensive partial and full-thickness burns of the head, neck, and chest. While planning the client's care, the nurse should identify which of the following risks as the priority for assessment and intervention?
Infection
Airway obstruction
Paralytic ileus
Fluid imbalance
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A Reason: Infection is a serious complication of burn injuries, but not the priority risk for assessment and intervention. The nurse should monitor the client's wound healing, temperature, white blood cell count, and signs of sepsis, and administer antibiotics as prescribed. However, these measures are secondary to ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation.
Choice B Reason: Airway obstruction is the priority risk for assessment and intervention for a client who has burns of the head, neck, and chest. The nurse should assess the client's airway patency, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, breath sounds, and signs of respiratory distress, such as stridor, wheezes, or cyanosis. The nurse should also provide humidified oxygen, suction secretions, elevate the head of the bed, and prepare for endotracheal intubation if needed. Airway obstruction can occur due to edema, inflammation, or inhalation injury of the upper airway, and can quickly lead to hypoxia, respiratory failure, and death.
Choice C Reason: Paralytic ileus is a potential complication of burn injuries, but not the priority risk for assessment and intervention. The nurse should assess the client's bowel sounds, abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting, and stool output, and administer fluids, electrolytes, and nutritional support as prescribed. However, these measures are secondary to ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation.
Choice D Reason: Fluid imbalance is another potential complication of burn injuries, but not the priority risk for assessment and intervention. The nurse should assess the client's fluid status, urine output, vital signs, weight, and serum electrolytes, and administer intravenous fluids as prescribed. However, these measures are secondary to ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason: This choice is incorrect because oral hypoglycemic medications are not effective for treating DKA. Oral hypoglycemic medications are drugs that lower the blood glucose level by stimulating insulin secretion or increasing insulin sensitivity. They may be used for clients who have type 2 diabetes mellitus, but they do not work for clients who have type 1 diabetes mellitus or DKA.
Choice B Reason: This choice is correct because 0.9% sodium chloride IV bolus is an effective treatment for DKA. 0.9% sodium chloride is an isotonic solution that contains the same concentration of solutes as blood plasma. It may be used for clients who have fluid loss, dehydration, or shock. In DKA, the body breaks down fat for energy due to insulin deficiency or resistance, resulting in high levels of ketones and acids in the blood. This causes osmotic diuresis, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and metabolic acidosis. Therefore, administering 0.9% sodium chloride IV bolus can help to restore fluid volume and correct electrolyte imbalance.
Choice C Reason: This choice is incorrect because dextrose 5% in 0.45% sodium chloride is not indicated for treating DKA. Dextrose 5% in 0.45% sodium chloride is a hypertonic solution that contains more solutes than blood plasma. It may be used for clients who have hyponatremia, cerebral edema, or malnutrition, but it can worsen hyperglycemia and osmotic diuresis in clients who have DKA.
Choice D Reason: This choice is incorrect because glucocorticoid medications are not indicated for treating DKA. Glucocorticoid medications are drugs that mimic the effects of cortisol, a hormone that regulates stress response and inflammation. They may be used for clients who have allergic reactions, asthma, or autoimmune diseases, but they can increase blood glucose levels and inhibit insulin action in clients who have DKA.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason: This choice is incorrect because it indicates respiratory alkalosis, not AKI. Respiratory alkalosis is a condition in which the lungs eliminate too much carbon dioxide (CO2) from the blood, resulting in a low level of CO2 (PaCO2) and a high level of pH. A normal PaCO2 range is 35 to 45 mm Hg, and a normal pH range is 7.35 to 7.45, so a value of 30 mm Hg and 7.49 indicate respiratory alkalosis.
Choice B Reason: This choice is incorrect because it indicates respiratory acidosis, not AKI. Respiratory acidosis is a condition in which the lungs cannot eliminate enough CO2 from the blood, resulting in a high level of CO2 (PaCO2) and a low level of pH. A value of 46 mm Hg and 7.26 indicate respiratory acidosis.
Choice C Reason: This choice is correct because it indicates metabolic acidosis, which is a common complication of AKI. Metabolic acidosis is a condition in which the body produces too much acid or loses too much base, resulting in a low level of bicarbonate (HCO3) and a low level of pH. A normal HCO3 range is 22 to 26 mEq/L, so a value of 14 mEq/L indicates metabolic acidosis. The low PaCO2 value (30 mm Hg) is due to the respiratory compensation mechanism that tries to restore the acid-base balance by increasing the ventilation and eliminating more CO2.
Choice D Reason: This choice is incorrect because it indicates metabolic alkalosis, not AKI. Metabolic alkalosis is a condition in which the body loses too much acid or gains too much base, resulting in a high level of bicarbonate (HCO3) and a high level of pH. A value of 30 mEq/L and 7.49 indicate metabolic alkalosis.
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