A nurse witnesses a motor vehicle crash and finds a client who is not breathing. The nurse suspects the client has a cervical vertebrae fracture. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Open the client's airway using the jaw-thrust maneuver to provide oxygenation
Check the client's cranial nerve function by assessing pupils equal, round, reactive to light, and accommodation (PERRLA)
Place the client in a rigid cervical collar
Evaluate the client for brain injury
The Correct Answer is A
A. The first priority in this situation is to open the client's airway using the jaw-thrust maneuver. This technique is preferred for clients with suspected spinal injuries to avoid further spinal cord damage. Ensuring the airway is open and providing oxygenation are immediate life-saving actions.
B. Checking cranial nerve function, including assessing pupils, is important for evaluating neurological status but is not the first action when the client is not breathing. Ensuring the airway is open and providing oxygenation is the priority.
C. While placing the client in a rigid cervical collar is important for stabilizing the spine and preventing further injury, it should be done after ensuring the airway is clear. The immediate concern is to address the client's non-breathing status.
D. Evaluating the client for brain injury is important for overall assessment but is secondary to addressing the immediate life threat of not breathing. Ensuring the airway is open and then stabilizing the spine is the priority.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Assessing for upper extremity injuries is important, but it is not the highest priority in an unconscious client who is at risk for airway obstruction.
B. Suctioning saliva from the client's mouth is the highest priority because an unconscious client is at risk for airway obstruction due to the accumulation of saliva or other secretions. Maintaining a clear airway is essential to prevent aspiration and ensure adequate oxygenation.
C. Monitoring electrolyte levels is important in the overall management of a client with cerebral hemorrhage, but it is not the immediate priority compared to securing the airway.
D. Recording intake and output is necessary for fluid balance monitoring but is secondary to the immediate need to maintain a patent airway in an unconscious client.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. A higher fluid intake, ideally 2 to 3 liters per day, is typically recommended to help flush uric acid from the body and prevent gout attacks, not just 1 to 1.5 L.
B. Aspirin is not recommended for gout pain management; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids are more appropriate.
C. Focusing on losing weight to achieve a normal BMI is important for managing gout, as obesity is a risk factor for gout and can exacerbate symptoms. Weight loss can help reduce uric acid levels and improve overall management of the condition.
D. Allopurinol is used for long-term management to reduce uric acid levels and prevent attacks, but it is not used during acute attacks. Colchicine or NSAIDs are more appropriate for acute gout attacks.
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