The nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who has fallen 20 feet from a roof. While performing the primary assessment, what is the most important nursing intervention?

Remove clothing

Maintain cervical spine precaution

Perform a mental status exam

Assess for facial lacerations

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Remove clothing: While removing clothing may be necessary for a thorough assessment and treatment, maintaining cervical spine precaution takes precedence to prevent potential spinal cord injury in clients with a history of trauma, such as a fall from a significant height.

B. Maintain cervical spine precaution: Maintaining cervical spine precaution by stabilizing the cervical spine and immobilizing the neck is crucial to prevent further injury to the spinal cord in clients with a history of trauma until spinal injury is ruled out or managed.

C. Perform a mental status exam: While assessing the client's mental status is important for evaluating neurological function, it is not the first priority in a client with potential spinal cord injury following a fall.

D. Assess for facial lacerations: Assessing for facial lacerations is important for identifying and managing potential facial injuries, but it is not the first priority in the primary assessment of a client with a history of trauma and potential spinal cord injury.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Paraplegia: Paraplegia is the paralysis of the lower extremities and possibly the trunk, which can occur with a spinal cord injury at the level of the T2-T3 vertebrae.

B. Paresthesia: Paresthesia refers to abnormal sensations such as tingling or numbness and is not typically associated with a spinal cord injury at the T2-T3 level. It may occur with nerve damage but is not the primary disability anticipated in this scenario.

C. Quadriplegia: Quadriplegia, also known as tetraplegia, involves paralysis of all four limbs and the trunk. It is more commonly associated with injuries at higher levels of the spinal cord, such as cervical injuries.

D. Hemiplegia: Hemiplegia involves paralysis of one side of the body and is typically caused by a stroke or brain injury, not a spinal cord injury at the T2-T3 level.

A. Start a labetalol drip to keep BP less than 140/90 mm Hg. B. Keep the head of the bed elevated at least 30 degrees. C. Begin tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) intravenously per protocol. D. Infuse normal saline intravenously at 75 mL/hr.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Start a labetalol drip to keep BP less than 140/90 mm Hg: This order is appropriate because it aims to lower the patient's blood pressure to a target range recommended for acute ischemic stroke management.

B. Keep the head of the bed elevated at least 30 degrees: This intervention is part of stroke management to prevent aspiration and improve cerebral perfusion.

C. Begin tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) intravenously per protocol: The nurse should question this order because tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is contraindicated in patients with stroke who have had symptoms for more than 3 hours or have unknown time of onset, as in this case where the patient has been aphasic for 3 hours. Administering tPA in this situation could increase the risk of bleeding complications without providing benefit.

D. Infuse normal saline intravenously at 75 mL/hr: This order is appropriate for maintaining hydration and intravascular volume in the acute care setting.

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The nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who has fallen 20 feet from a roof. While performing the primary assessment, what is the most important nursing intervention?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who has had a spinal cord injury at the level of the T2-T3 vertebrae. When planning care, the nurse should anticipate which of the following types of disability?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A patient admitted with possible stroke has been aphasic for 3 hours and has a current blood pressure (BP) of 174/94 mm Hg. Which order by the health care provider should the nurse question?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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