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) is incorrect because elevating the client’s feet is not the priority action for a hypotensive client. Elevating the client’s feet may help increase the venous return to the heart, but it may also compromise the respiratory status of a client who has esophageal varices and is at risk of aspiration.
Choice b) is incorrect because administering a unit of packed RBCs is not the priority action for a hypotensive client. Administering a unit of packed RBCs may help increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, but it may also increase the blood viscosity and pressure, which can worsen the bleeding from the esophageal varices.
Choice c) is incorrect because initiating a dopamine IV infusion for the client is not the priority action for a hypotensive client. Initiating a dopamine IV infusion may help increase the blood pressure and cardiac output, but it may also cause vasoconstriction and tachycardia, which can increase the risk of hemorrhage and arrhythmias.
Choice d) is correct because increasing the client’s IV fluid rate is the priority action for a hypotensive client. Increasing the client’s IV fluid rate may help restore the intravascular volume and perfusion, which can prevent shock and organ damage. Increasing the client’s IV fluid rate may also dilute the blood and reduce its viscosity and pressure, which can decrease the bleeding from the esophageal varices.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because droplet precautions are not sufficient to prevent the transmission of pneumonic plague. Droplet precautions are used to prevent the spread of infectious agents that are expelled through coughing, sneezing, or talking and travel only a short distance in the air. Droplet precautions include wearing a surgical mask, gown, and gloves, and placing the client in a private room or with a roommate who has the same infection.
Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because administering an antitoxin is not an intervention for pneumonic plague. An antitoxin is a substance that neutralizes the effects of a toxin produced by a microorganism. Pneumonic plague is not caused by a toxin, but by a bacterial infection.
Choice C Reason: This is correct because initiating airborne precautions is an intervention for pneumonic plague. Airborne precautions are used to prevent the spread of infectious agents that can remain suspended in the air and travel over long distances. Pneumonic plague is a severe and potentially fatal infection caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which can be transmited through respiratory droplets or aerosols. Airborne precautions are used to prevent the spread of infectious agents that can remain suspended in the air and travel over long distances. Airborne precautions include wearing a respirator or N95 mask, placing the client in a negative-pressure room with an air filtration system, and limiting visitors and staff contact.
Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because destroying the linens after use is not an intervention for pneumonic plague. Linens that are contaminated with body fluids or secretions should be handled with gloves and placed in leak-proof bags for laundering or disposal, but they do not need to be destroyed.
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