An intubated 30-year-old is being treated in the critical care unit after coming into contact with a high voltage power line. The client’s left leg received a compound fracture as well as a full thickness circular burn. Three days post-injury a fasciotomy was performed. Which assessment findings indicate effectiveness of the actions taken by the nurse? (Select all that apply)
Pedal pulse 88 beats/min, bilaterally.
No swelling noted in lower extremities.
Spontaneous respirations, 16 breaths/minute.
Pulse oximeter reading 93%.
Pain scored 5 out of 10, decreased from high of 10.
Temperature 98.6°F.
Correct Answer : A,B,E
Choice A reason: Bilateral pedal pulses at 88 beats/min indicate restored circulation post-fasciotomy, preventing compartment syndrome. This aligns with vascular assessment post-burn and fracture, making it a correct finding showing the nurse’s actions were effective in maintaining perfusion in the leg.
Choice B reason: No swelling in lower extremities post-fasciotomy indicates reduced pressure and effective decompression, preventing tissue damage. This aligns with post-surgical burn care, making it a correct finding demonstrating the nurse’s actions were successful in managing the client’s leg injury.
Choice C reason: Spontaneous respirations are expected with intubation but unrelated to fasciotomy effectiveness for leg burn and fracture. Pulse presence is more relevant, making this incorrect, as it does not reflect the outcome of the nurse’s actions on the leg injury.
Choice D reason: Pulse oximetry of 93% reflects respiratory status, not fasciotomy effectiveness for leg perfusion. No swelling is a direct outcome, making this incorrect, as it’s unrelated to the nurse’s actions addressing the burn and fracture in the client’s leg.
Choice E reason: Pain reduced to 5/10 from 10 post-fasciotomy indicates effective decompression and pain management. This aligns with post-surgical burn care outcomes, making it a correct finding showing the nurse’s actions improved the client’s comfort and leg injury status.
Choice F reason: Normal temperature of 98.6°F is expected but doesn’t directly indicate fasciotomy effectiveness for leg perfusion. Pedal pulses are more specific, making this incorrect, as it’s not a primary outcome of the nurse’s actions for the client’s leg injury.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Analyzing care levels is important, but the nurse’s negligence lies in not addressing the critical magnesium level. Reporting to the practitioner is the appropriate action, making this incorrect, as it’s less specific than the failure to act on a critical lab result.
Choice B reason: Respecting patient wishes relates to DNR but doesn’t negate the need to report critical labs for non-resuscitative care. Failure to act is the issue, making this incorrect, as it misapplies the DNR to the nurse’s duty to address the magnesium level.
Choice C reason: Wrongful death assumes patient harm or death, which isn’t indicated here. Failure to act on the critical magnesium level is the negligence, making this incorrect, as it overstates the outcome compared to the nurse’s inaction on the lab result.
Choice D reason: Failure to take appropriate action, such as reporting a critical magnesium level of 1.1 mEq/L, is negligent, regardless of DNR status. This aligns with nursing standards, making it the correct action the nurse neglected, as critical labs require practitioner notification.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Palpation of a thrill, a vibrating sensation, indicates blood flow and patency in an arteriovenous fistula. This aligns with hemodialysis access assessment, making it the correct finding the nurse would use to confirm the fistula is patent.
Choice B reason: A radial pulse in the wrist is normal but doesn’t confirm fistula patency, which requires a thrill. Palpation of a thrill is specific, making this incorrect, as it’s not a direct indicator of fistula function in hemodialysis preparation.
Choice C reason: Enlarged vessels may suggest fistula development but don’t confirm active flow. A thrill indicates patency, making this incorrect, as it’s less specific than the nurse’s assessment of a palpable thrill over the fistula site.
Choice D reason: Capillary refill less than 3 seconds assesses distal perfusion, not fistula patency. Palpation of a thrill is the standard, making this incorrect, as it’s unrelated to the nurse’s evaluation of the arteriovenous fistula for hemodialysis.
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