A nurse is caring for a client who has an evisceration of an abdominal incision. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Prepare the client for surgery.
Cover the protrusion with a dressing soaked in 0.9% sodium chloride.
Obtain the client's vital signs every 5 min until the provider arrives.
Raise the head of the bed to 20°.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Prepare the client for surgery: Surgical intervention is required to repair the evisceration, but the immediate priority is to protect the exposed organs from contamination and desiccation by covering them with a sterile saline-moistened dressing.
B. Cover the protrusion with a dressing soaked in 0.9% sodium chloride: This is the priority action to prevent the exposed organs from drying out and reduce the risk of infection. Sterile saline keeps the tissue moist, which is essential for preserving organ viability until surgical repair can be performed.
C. Obtain the client's vital signs every 5 min until the provider arrives: Monitoring vital signs is important to assess for shock, but it is not the first priority. Protecting the exposed abdominal contents takes precedence before initiating continuous monitoring.
D. Raise the head of the bed to 20°: The client should be placed in a low Fowler’s position with knees slightly flexed to reduce abdominal tension, but the most immediate action is to cover the exposed organs with a sterile saline-moistened dressing.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["C","D","E","G"]
Explanation
- Pain level: Chest pain rated at 7/10 with radiation to the left arm, along with diaphoresis and nausea, indicates a potential acute coronary syndrome, likely a myocardial infarction. Immediate intervention is necessary to relieve pain and address the underlying cause, as this could prevent further complications and potential cardiac damage.
- Electrocardiogram findings: ST-segment elevation and T wave changes suggest an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), which requires urgent medical attention. Prompt identification and activation of treatment protocols, such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or thrombolytic therapy, are critical to restore blood flow and minimize myocardial damage.
- Troponin T level: An elevated troponin T level (0.40 ng/mL, with a normal range <0.1 ng/mL) indicates myocardial injury, supporting the diagnosis of an acute myocardial infarction. Immediate management is essential to mitigate further cardiac injury and ensure appropriate treatment is initiated based on the severity of the elevation.
- Blood pressure: While the blood pressure reading of 164/80 mm Hg indicates hypertension, it is not critically high and does not require immediate intervention like the other findings. However, elevated blood pressure in the context of a myocardial infarction can increase myocardial oxygen demand, leading to further complications, thus it should be monitored closely.
- Blood glucose level: The blood glucose level of 103 mg/dL is within normal limits (74-106 mg/dL) and does not indicate an immediate concern. Although monitoring blood glucose is essential in clients with diabetes, it is not a priority in the context of acute coronary syndrome.
- Bowel sounds: The presence of bowel sounds indicates gastrointestinal function and does not require immediate follow-up in this context. While it’s important to assess overall health, bowel sounds are not a priority when addressing acute cardiac symptoms.
- Lung sounds: Clear lung sounds indicate that there is no pulmonary congestion or other respiratory complications at this time. While lung assessment is essential for overall patient evaluation, clear lung sounds do not require immediate follow-up in this acute setting.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Constipation: Radiation therapy to the neck does not typically affect the gastrointestinal system directly. Constipation is more commonly associated with opioid pain management or radiation targeting the abdominal or pelvic region rather than the head and neck area.
B. Peripheral neuropathy: Nerve damage leading to peripheral neuropathy is more often linked to chemotherapy, particularly agents like vincristine or cisplatin, rather than radiation therapy. Radiation to the neck primarily affects tissues in the irradiated field, such as the oral mucosa.
C. Mouth ulcers: Radiation to the neck frequently causes mucositis, leading to painful mouth ulcers due to the direct impact on rapidly dividing mucosal cells. Clients may experience pain, difficulty swallowing, and increased risk of infection as a result of mucosal breakdown.
D. Decreased tear production: Radiation therapy to the neck is unlikely to directly affect the lacrimal glands. While radiation near the eyes can cause dry eyes, treatment focused on the neck primarily impacts the oral mucosa, salivary glands, and throat rather than tear production.
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