A young adult is brought to the Emergency Department (ED) after a motor vehicle accident (MVA). The patient has severe right chest pain where there was impact with the steering wheel. Which is the priority patient goal?
Reduce the patient's anxiety
Assure adequate circulating volume
Decrease the patient's chest pain
Maintain adequate oxygenation
The Correct Answer is D
A) Reduce the patient's anxiety:
While reducing anxiety is an important aspect of patient care, particularly in emergency situations, it is not the priority when life-threatening conditions may be present. Anxiety reduction can be addressed after ensuring that the patient’s more critical physiological needs (such as adequate oxygenation and circulation) are met.
B) Assure adequate circulating volume:
Maintaining adequate circulating volume is important, especially in trauma cases where blood loss is a concern. However, adequate oxygenation takes precedence over circulating volume in this scenario because without proper oxygenation, the patient’s vital organs and tissues may suffer from hypoxia, leading to further complications.
C) Decrease the patient's chest pain:
Chest pain following a motor vehicle accident (MVA) can be a symptom of serious injuries, such as rib fractures, pneumothorax, or even a cardiac contusion. While relieving pain is important for comfort and overall well-being, the priority in the immediate post-trauma phase is to ensure that the patient is receiving adequate oxygen.
D) Maintain adequate oxygenation:
The most critical concern after trauma, especially in a case involving chest impact, is ensuring that the patient is adequately oxygenated. Chest trauma can cause injuries to the lungs or pleural space (e.g., pneumothorax, hemothorax), leading to compromised oxygen exchange. The priority is to assess and maintain the patient's airway, breathing, and oxygenation first.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["13.7"]
Explanation
Given:
Ordered dose of Furosemide: 1 mg/kg
Patient weight: 121 lbs
Concentration of Furosemide: 40 mg/10 mL (4 mg/mL)
Step 1: Convert patient weight from pounds to kilograms:
1 pound (lb) = 0.453592 kilograms (kg)
Patient weight in kg = 121 lbs x 0.453592 kg/lb = 54.877832 kg
Step 2: Calculate the total dose of Furosemide:
Total dose (mg) = Ordered dose (mg/kg) x Patient weight (kg)
Total dose (mg) = 1 mg/kg x 54.877832 kg
Total dose (mg) = 54.877832 mg
Step 3: Calculate the volume to be administered:
Volume (mL) = Total dose (mg) / Concentration (mg/mL)
Volume (mL) = 54.877832 mg / 4 mg/mL
Volume (mL) = 13.719458 mL
Step 4: Round to the nearest tenth:
Volume (mL) ≈ 13.7 mL
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Determine when the patient last ate and call for spiritual advisor:
While it is important to gather a comprehensive history, including when the patient last ate, and to provide emotional support such as calling a spiritual advisor, these actions are not the priority in this situation. The immediate concern is the patient's physical condition and addressing the potential trauma to the chest and abdominal organs. Bowel sounds in the chest suggest a serious injury, such as a diaphragmatic rupture, which requires immediate surgical intervention.
B) Assess vital signs and immediately notify the trauma surgeon:
Hearing bowel sounds in the chest is a strong indication of a diaphragmatic injury, possibly a rupture, which can lead to the bowel being displaced into the chest cavity. This is a life-threatening emergency that can result in respiratory distress, impaired organ function, and infection. The nurse should assess vital signs to determine if the patient is stable or in shock and then immediately notify the trauma surgeon to facilitate urgent surgical intervention. Immediate surgical repair is necessary to prevent further complications such as respiratory compromise or sepsis.
C) Request an order for a chest x-ray and stop IV fluids:
A chest x-ray may be ordered later to confirm the presence of diaphragmatic injury or other chest trauma, but the priority action is to notify the trauma surgeon immediately. Stopping IV fluids is not appropriate in this situation; the patient likely needs continued fluid resuscitation, especially if they are in shock or have significant blood loss from their traumatic injuries.
D) Medicate the patient's pain and obtain consent for surgery:
Pain management is important for the patient’s comfort, but surgical intervention should not be delayed while obtaining consent. The trauma surgeon should be notified immediately, and surgery should be expedited without waiting for consent. In trauma cases, consent for life-saving procedures may be implied if the patient is unconscious or unable to provide consent due to the urgency of the situation.
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