A patient is unresponsive to verbal stimuli and exhibits an altered level of consciousness.

Which method should the nurse use to elicit a response from a painful stimulus?

Choice A rationale
While emptying the gas from the pouch like you would if the pouch was full of stool might seem like a logical solution, it is not the most appropriate response. This could potentially lead to messiness and odor, which could cause embarrassment and discomfort for the patient.
Choice B rationale
Peeling back a tiny corner of the skin barrier to allow gas to escape is the most appropriate response. This allows the gas to be released in a controlled manner, reducing the risk of the pouch becoming too full and uncomfortable for the patient. It also minimizes the risk of odor and messiness.
Choice C rationale
Making a tiny pinhole in the top of the pouch to let air out is not recommended. This could potentially lead to leakage of stool, causing messiness and odor. It could also damage the pouch, requiring it to be replaced more frequently.
Choice D rationale
Removing the pouch and putting on a new one when it gets too full of gas is not the most appropriate response. This could be inconvenient for the patient and could potentially lead to skin irritation from frequent changes. It also does not address the issue of the pouch filling with gas.

Choice A rationale
A 33-year-old with burns to the back and shoulders. While this patient’s injuries are serious, they are not immediately life-threatening. The back and shoulders are not vital areas, and while pain management and wound care will be necessary, this patient’s situation is not as urgent as others.
Choice B rationale
A 32-year-old with burns on the hands and face. This patient should be attended to first. Burns on the hands and face are more serious due to the high risk of infection and the potential for complications such as impaired breathing if the airway swells or becomes blocked due to the burns. Immediate treatment can help to prevent these complications.
Choice C rationale
A 42-year-old with burns on both legs. While these burns are serious, they are not immediately life-threatening. The patient will need pain management and wound care, and may have mobility issues, but their vital organs are not directly impacted by the burns.
Choice D rationale
A 25-year-old with a burn on the left arm. This patient, while in need of treatment, is not the highest priority. A burn on the arm, while painful and requiring treatment, is not as potentially serious or life-threatening as burns to the face, hands, or major portions of the body.