A nurse is triaging victims of a multiple motor-vehicle crash. The nurse assesses a client trapped under a car who is apneic and has a weak pulse at 120/min. After repositioning his upper airway, the client remains apneic. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Place a black tag on the client’s upper body and atempt to help the next client in need.
Start CPR
Place a red tag on the client’s upper body and obtain immediate help from other personnel.
Reposition the client's upper airway a second time before assessing his respirations.
The Correct Answer is A
The correct answer is: a. Place a black tag on the client’s upper body and attempt to help the next client in need.
Choice A: Place a black tag on the client’s upper body and attempt to help the next client in need.
In mass casualty incidents, the START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) triage system is often used. According to this system, if a patient is apneic (not breathing) and does not resume breathing after repositioning the airway, they are considered deceased or non-salvageable and should be tagged with a black tag. This allows the nurse to focus on other victims who have a higher chance of survival.
Choice B: Start CPR
While starting CPR might seem appropriate in a normal setting, during a mass casualty incident, resources and time are limited. The priority is to save as many lives as possible. Performing CPR on an apneic patient with a weak pulse would take significant time and resources that could be used to help other victims with a higher chance of survival.
Choice C: Place a red tag on the client’s upper body and obtain immediate help from other personnel.
A red tag is used for patients who need immediate care and have a high chance of survival if treated promptly. Since the client remains apneic even after repositioning the airway, they do not meet the criteria for a red tag.
Choice D: Reposition the client’s upper airway a second time before assessing his respirations.
Repositioning the airway a second time is not recommended in the START triage system. If the patient does not resume breathing after the initial repositioning, they are considered non-salvageable.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A: Decreased specific gravity is not a finding of right-sided heart failure. Specific gravity is a measure of urine concentration, which can be affected by fluid intake, dehydration, kidney function, and diuretic use. Right-sided heart failure does not directly affect urine concentration, but it can cause fluid retention and edema in the body.
Choice B: Decreased brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is not a finding of right-sided heart failure. BNP is a hormone that is released by the heart when it is stretched or overloaded. BNP helps to lower blood pressure and reduce fluid volume by increasing urine output and dilating blood vessels. BNP levels are elevated in both left-sided and right- sided heart failure, as the heart is under increased pressure and volume.
Choice C: Increased pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) is not a finding of right-sided heart failure. PAWP is a measure of the pressure in the left atrium, which reflects the pressure in the pulmonary capillaries. PAWP is elevated in left-sided heart failure, as the blood backs up in the lungs due to impaired left ventricular function. PAWP is normal or low in right-sided heart failure, as the blood backs up in the systemic circulation due to impaired right ventricular function.
Choice D: Elevated central venous pressure (CVP) is a finding of right-sided heart failure. CVP is a measure of the pressure in the right atrium, which reflects the pressure in the systemic venous system. CVP is elevated in right-sided heart failure, as the blood backs up in the body due to impaired right ventricular function. CVP can cause jugular venous distension, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, ascites, and peripheral edema.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A: Ask the client to shrug his shoulders against passive resistance is not an assessment that will give the nurse information about the function of cranial nerve III. This assessment will test the function of cranial nerve XI, which is the accessory nerve. The accessory nerve innervates the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles, which are involved in shoulder and neck movements.
Choice B: Instruct the client to look up and down without moving his head is an assessment that will give the nurse information about the function of cranial nerve III. Cranial nerve III is the oculomotor nerve, which innervates four of the six extraocular muscles that control eye movements. The oculomotor nerve also controls pupil size and lens shape. By instructing the client to look up and down without moving his head, the nurse can assess the ability of the oculomotor nerve to move the eyes vertically and adjust to different distances.
Choice C: Observe the client's ability to smile and frown is not an assessment that will give the nurse information about the function of cranial nerve III. This assessment will test the function of cranial nerve VII, which is the facial nerve. The facial nerve innervates the muscles of facial expression, which are involved in smiling, frowning, blinking, and other facial movements.
Choice D: Have the client stand with his eyes closed and touch his nose is not an assessment that will give the nurse information about the function of cranial nerve III. This assessment will test the function of cranial nerve VIII, which is the vestibulocochlear nerve. The vestibulocochlear nerve innervates the inner ear and is responsible for hearing and balance. By having the client stand with his eyes closed and touch his nose, the nurse can assess the ability of the vestibulocochlear nerve to maintain equilibrium and coordination.
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